The Key for School Leaders
An Essential Guide to Academy Conversion
Planning for academy conversion : FAQs
Which schools can convert to academy status ?
All schools , except nurseries , can apply to become an academy .
Only academies can form or join a Multi-academy trust ( MAT ). Maintained schools wishing to form or join a MAT can convert to academy status and join the MAT at the same time - there is no requirement to become a standalone academy first .
What might we need to consider when deciding to form a new MAT or join an existing one ?
The Key asked one of its associate education experts , Maggie Waller , what to consider when deciding whether setting up or joining a MAT is the right choice for them . We summarise her advice below .
Setting the vision
Maggie said that standalone academies and maintained schools considering setting up a MAT should first set out the vision of the trust . In particular , they should be clear how becoming a MAT could improve teaching and learning in each school in the trust . Schools may decide that forming a MAT is right for them because :
• An ‘ outstanding ’ school with a strong governing body will drive improvements in all schools in the MAT , thereby providing a better education in the local community reinforced by a common ethos
• Other schools in the area are converting to academies , which may reduce the viability of remaining a maintained school
• Converting to MAT status will increase financial efficiencies and sustainability , enabling cost-effective purchase of goods and services for the benefit of all schools across the MAT , which individual schools will not otherwise be able to afford
• Greater support for teachers across the group of schools by sharing , drawing on and learning from good practice
Maggie also said that proximity may be a factor when deciding which schools to include in the MAT . For example , she has worked with a MAT in which all schools are no more than 20 minutes apart in order to facilitate close strategic relationships .
What services will the MAT provide ?
Maggie said that once the vision of the MAT has been determined , schools should work out which services the MAT will offer .
Perhaps in a workshop format , all schools considering setting up a MAT should agree the central services the MAT will provide , and the costs and benefits to each school individually .
Governance arrangements
Maggie said that the next step is to determine the governance arrangements of the new MAT . For example , will there be one executive head for the MAT , and headteachers in individual schools ? Will there be one strategic finance director or will financial decisions be delegated ?
The governance structure put in place must be appropriate to the circumstances and strategic vision of the MAT to facilitate effective school improvement support for all academies . It is particularly important to have a clear governance structure which is understood by everybody .
Maggie suggested having local governing bodies for each school , with a delegated budget , unless there is an issue with governance in one of the schools . If that is the case , the MAT might work towards having a local governing body for that school in the near future .
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