Academies are publicly funded independent schools for both primary and secondary age children. They have more freedom to innovate and raise standards as they are not controlled by the local authority.
Academies
Academies can choose staff pay and conditions, how to use their budget, how they deliver the curriculum and they are even able to change the dates of terms.
Some academies which were set up to replace under performing schools will have a sponsor – this could be a well-performing school, a business, charity, university or other organisation. The aim is to raise the performance of the academy and the sponsor is held responsible. Similarly, high performing schools that apply for academy status will be expected to partner with a weaker school.
Like maintained schools, academies still have to have a governing body, but they have more autonomy and they must have at least two parent governors.
Academies are required to follow the law and guidance on admissions, special educational needs and exclusions as if they were maintained schools. Selective schools which become academies can continue to be selective, but schools becoming academies can’t become newly selective schools.
Free schools
Free schools and academies are technically the same. However, whereas academies are existing schools under local authority control that change their status to become independent, free schools allow new schools to be set up in the style of academies.
Free schools could be set up by a wide range of proposers including groups of parents, educational establishments, businesses, and charities.
By 1 January 2013 the following schools had already converted to academy status in Cambridgeshire:
Primary schools
Secondary schools
Special Schools
The list of schools who have indicated an intention to convert to academy status includes:
Primary schools
Secondary schools
Special schools
What you can do
You can find out the status of a school in the school search.
How we can help
If you have any queries about schools in Cambridgeshire please contact: Sandra Pedley, Project Manager, Cambridgeshire County Council, Box CC1209, Castle Court, Castle Hill, Cambridge, CB3 0AP.
E-mail: sandra.pedley@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
The admissions team can help if you have questions about your child getting a school place at an academy which is not answered in the school places pages.
Sources of further help
Department for Education
More information on academies
New Schools Network
Provides advice to groups who are setting up free schools