If the Government statements about the advantages of becoming an academy were to be believed, one would expect that those most eager to be completely free of the local authority would be community schools which have the closest relationship.
However, surprisingly, the secondary schools which represent the largest proportion in the rush to become academies are foundation schools, which have the greatest freedom from the local authority already.
44% of foundation school have either converted or are about to convert voluntarily since September 2010. A further 2% being converted since September 2010 under the old scheme.
This compares with just 16% of community schools in full partnership with the local authority, with a further 6% being converted with sponsors under the old scheme.
The implications of this are that there is no appetite among the majority of secondary schools to convert. They clearly value their relationship with the local authority and the local community.
Those schools which had previously taken some action to achieve a degree of independence from local authorities are clearly those which are taking the further step. Some of these are on at least their third transformation, having previously been direct grant schools.
|
|
No. of Secondaries Aug 2010 |
No.Converted since Sept’10 |
%age |
Sponsored academies since Sept ’10 |
%age |
| community |
1427 |
235 |
16% |
82 |
6% |
| voluntary controlled |
81 |
11 |
14% |
0 |
0% |
| voluntary aided |
514 |
81 |
16% |
14 |
3% |
| foundation |
861 |
381 |
44% |
20 |
2% |
Note: Since schools can convert mid-term, the figures change but the
proportions seem to be fairly stable at the moment.
Source: DfE GCSE Exam results for all schools issued January 2011
List of Academies September 2010
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/leadership/typesofschools/academies/b0069811/open-academies-and-academy-projects-in-development
