insideKENT Magazine Issue 75 - June 2018 | Page 171

BUSINESS ACADEMIES: FULL STEAM AHEAD! BY MICHELLE WILKES, PARTNER AT WILKINS KENNEDY ORPINGTON AT THE END OF APRIL, SEVERAL MEMBERS OF WILKINS KENNEDY’S ACADEMIES TEAM HEADED TO LONDON FOR THE ACADEMIES SHOW 2018. FOLLOWING A FEW YEARS OF GOVERNMENT CHANGES IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR, AS WELL AS A FEW U-TURNS ON SOME ANNOUNCEMENTS RELATING TO ACADEMY CONVERSION, IT’S PROVING TO BE A CONFUSING TIME. AT THE ACADEMIES SHOW, WE WERE FACED WITH A NUMBER OF QUERIES, FROM JOINING A MULTI ACADEMY TRUST TO PUPIL PREMIUMS – SO IT SEEMS MORE CLARITY IS NEEDED FOR THOSE WORKING IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR. REGIONAL TRENDS Kent was one of the first counties to push for more schools to convert to academy status. In fact, the first primary school to convert in January 2011 was based in Kent and ever since then we have noticed a growing number of schools choosing to convert. For those schools that are considering converting to an academy there are a few things to think about. Should you form part of a Multi Academy Trust (MAT) or join an existing MAT? How would converting to an academy affect operations, finances and overall school performance? DISPELLING THE MYTHS Some schools may feel that the academies conversion process is only for schools that are poorly performing, but this is simply not true. Since the Academies Act came into force in 2010, it has been those that are rated Outstanding that have been allowed to convert initially, before it was expanded to become available to all. WHAT IS A MAT? Many schools opt to remain as a single or individual academy, but you can also be part of a Multi Academy Trust (MAT). This is where a single trust looks after a number of academies simultaneously, as the benefits can allow for sharing best practice, the implementation of centralised services if necessary, more flexible staffing resources and the opportunity to establish succession planning programmes. Wilkins Kennedy’s academies offering is headed up by our Orpington office – but is a service sector that stretches across all of our offices around London and the South East. As well as Orpington, you can find us in Ashford, Canterbury and Maidstone. If you have any queries relating to your school, academy or UTC, contact me at Wilkins Kennedy. Local offices: Ashford: 01233 629 255 / Canterbury: 01227 454 861 Maidstone: 01622 690 666 / Orpington: 01689 827 505 Sandwich: 01304 249 997 [email protected] www.wilkinskennedy.com wilkinskennedy wilkinskennedy 171