Academies

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Academies are publicly funded independent schools that provide a first class free education to pupils of all abilities. They are established by sponsors from business, faith or voluntary groups working with partners from the local community to replace weak and failing schools or to meet the basic need for school places in areas of educational underperformance and other disadvantage. Academies provide a teaching and learning environment in line with the best in the maintained sector and offer a broad and balanced curriculum, focusing especially on one or more subject areas. As well as providing the best opportunities for the most able pupils and those needing additional support, Academies have a key part to play in the regeneration of communities.

The independent status of Academies allows them the flexibility to be creative in their management, governance, teaching and curriculum, to find innovative solutions to meet local needs. They are an important resource for other schools which are able to benefit from the good practices developed by academies.

Sponsors provide £2 million towards the capital costs for each academy with the Government providing the balance and funding recurrent costs.

Each Academy is set up as a company limited by guarantee with charitable status and will have a board of governors responsible for the governance and strategic leadership of the school.

Academies:

Raise standards by innovative approaches to their management, governance, teaching and curriculum
Offer a broad and balanced curriculum with a specialist focus in one or more areas
Provide free education to pupils of all abilities, including provision for pupils with special educational needs
Have an admissions policy agreed by the DfES that is consistent with the code of practice on admissions and admissions law
Are an important resource for the local family of schools, serving the local community in which they are established, including sharing their facilities with the community