Academy

This part of the web site has been issued for the purposes of obtaining feedback from the public regarding the proposed change to Academy status. It will be subject to further amendment throughout the feasibility process, so please visit the site regularly to follow developments.

In December 2007, The Ridings High School and King Edmund Community School were approached by the Government, supported by South Gloucestershire Local Authority, and invited to participate in the Federation Academy Pathfinder Programme. Within the Federation Academy Pathfinder Programme, the Government has identified The Ridings High School as the Lead Educational Sponsor of King Edmund Community School. This means that The Ridings High School will in collaboration with King Edmund Community School, take responsibility for initiating, developing and leading the Academy Process for both schools. However, both schools will become independent Academies within the Federation, and will each have their own specialism.

This Academy Pathfinder will consist of 10 schools throughout the country, and it is a great honour and privilege for both schools and the Local Authority to be invited.

The Federation will bring together the two independent Academies in a context which is both innovative and unique. Both Academies will operate under an overarching Executive Governing Body and Executive Principal, who will have responsibility for strategic direction and leadership. Each independent Academy will retain its own Principal and Senior Management Team.

The school plans to become an Academy in September 2009. As an Academy, the School will continue to offer free education to boys and girls from 11-18 years of age. Joining the Academy programme enables the School to: * Provide an excellent all round education to pupils/students, from all backgrounds and of all abilities. * Develop the school to meet the opportunities and challenges of the 21st Century. * Make its contribution to a changing educational environment.

This part of the web site is part of The Ridings High School?s consultation process, sharing information regarding its future plans and allowing all interested parties to make a contribution to the consultation process.

Academies are all ability state schools with a mission to transform education. They operate independently from the Local Authority but are set up with its consent and collaborate closely with it and other schools in the area.

Academies should: * Be positioned at the centre of their communities; * Provide stimulating and fit for purpose learning environments; * Define new forms of leadership and governance; * Use the additional freedoms in order to improve the educational offer for students, and raise standards.

Academies provide an excellent teaching and learning environment, offering a broad and balanced curriculum focused on one or more subject specialisms.

This proposal seeks to create a Federation of two independent Academies in South Gloucestershire in order to raise standards and broaden educational opportunities for students at both institutions. This will be achieved by changing the status of The Ridings High School and King Edmund Community School from community schools to that of two independent Academies. The Ridings High School will become the Lead Educational Sponsor for King Edmund Community School. Both independent Academies will also be supported by educational partners from Higher Education, the Commercial and Industrial Sectors.

The detail of the Admissions Policy will be agreed with the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). However, at present, it is expected that Admissions for the Academy will continue to operate within the South Gloucestershire Admissions Policy.

An Academy receives funding by grant directly from the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) rather than via the Local Authority, as in the case of maintained schools. The per-pupil funding costs for an Academy are the same as for any other state schools in the local authority area in similar circumstances.

Academies do receive some initial additional funding to enable a successful set-up. They also obtain substantial investment to improve buildings and ICT, sharing in the Government?s ambitious capital plans to replace or modernise every secondary school in the next 15 years.

Overall responsibility for the Federation rests with the Executive Governing Body and the Federation Leadership Team, consisting of the Executive Principal, Vice-Principals and Chief Financial Officer. The Executive Governing Body manages the Federation on behalf of the Academy Trust.

The governance structure of the Federation is set out in its Articles of Association and details are still being developed. The majority of the Governors will be appointed from the Lead School, and will include the Executive Principal, a parent governor (1 from each Academy), 4 staff governors (2 from each Academy), and a Local Authority representative.

The day-to-day running of each independent Academy will rest with the respective Principals and their Senior Leadership Team.

The permanent staff of the existing school will have the right to transfer to the new Academy on their existing terms and conditions. Their employment rights are protected under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE).

As an Academy the School will receive an injection of capital funding from the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) to enable it to continue to improve the buildings and develop the learning environment.

The Academy will develop an ethos which will be fully supportive to pupils and families of all faiths and none.

	Ask a Question		Have Your Say
	Briefing Document - A Federation of Academies in South Gloucestershire		Parental Letter 070108 - Academy Status
	Press Release - Academy Status		Working in An Academy