Frequently Asked Questions
- What is an Academy?
- How will Academies raise standards?
- How soon will that improvement shine through?
- Does opening an Academy adversely affect other schools?
- Are Academies selective schools?
- Do Academies get more money than other schools?
- Will sponsors profit from their involvement?
- How are Academies accountable to their local communities?
- What about children with Special Educational Needs?
- Will learners from a school replaced by an Academy be guaranteed a place there?
- Will there be a new uniform for the Academy when it opens in 2009?
- Where will the new Academy be situated?
- What will be included in the curriculum at the new Academy?
Answers
-
What is an Academy?
Academies are state-funded independent all ability schools established with the support of their sponsor from the education, business and faith sectors working with partners from the local community. Academies provide good school places and excellent teaching and learning environments, offering a broad and balanced curriculum focused on its specialisms.
Back to the top -
How will Academies raise standards?
Academies raise standards by innovative approaches to management and governance, teaching and the curriculum, and by involving highly committed sponsors who bring skills, expertise and resources.
Back to the top -
How soon will that improvement shine through?
New Academies are unlikely to become successful overnight however there is a growing body of evidence that they are making significant progress faster than the national average and significantly faster than the other schools. Academy's teachers have high expectations of every learner. Good teaching, excellent facilities and motivated learners will deliver sustained improvements in standards.
Back to the top -
Does opening an Academy adversely affect other schools?
Quite the opposite. Academies are part of the local family of schools, sharing facilities and expertise with other schools and the wider community, contributing to raising standards across the whole area.
Back to the top -
Are Academies selective schools?
No, they are all-ability schools. Like other specialist secondary schools they can admit 10% of learners each year on the basis of aptitude for their specialism. As Academies are independent they are their own Admissions Authority and as such set their oversubscription criteria in line with the Schools Admission Code and admissions legislation. Generally admissions arrangements are agreed with the Secretary of State through funding agreement when the Academy is established.
Back to the top -
Do Academies get more money than other schools?
No, Academies are directly funded from the Department for Children, Schools and Families and per-learner running costs are the same as for any other local authority state school in similar circumstances.
Back to the top -
Will sponsors profit from their involvement?
No. Academies are separate institutions independent from their sponsors and are set up as charitable not for profit organisations. Sponsors will not benefit financially from their involvement with an Academy.
Back to the top -
How are Academies accountable to their local communities?
Academies are to be at the heart of their local communities and are established in consultation with local stakeholders. Local interests are represented on the governing body.
Back to the top -
What about children with Special Educational Needs?
Academies must have regard to the Special Educational Needs code of practice and statutory guidance on inclusion. An academies independent status does not affect parents rights to appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal.
Back to the top -
Will learners from a school replaced by an Academy be guaranteed a place there?
All learners in Year 7-10 will automatically have the right to transfer to the new Academy in September 2009.
Back to the top -
Will there be a new uniform for the Academy when it opens in 2009?
There will be a new uniform for the students. This uniform will be designed taking into account the views of the students, parents and stakeholders. All students transferring to the Academy from Pickering High School will have their first uniforms paid for in full from the sponsor.
Back to the top -
Where will the new Academy be situated?
The new accommodation will be located on the current Pickering High School site along with Ganton Special School. Indicative design is now in development and will be released in due course.
Back to the top -
What will be included in the curriculum at the new Academy?
It is the intention that the Academy will offer a broad and balanced curriculum. This will include a mix of academic and vocational qualifications with engaging learning experiences. Specific details of the full curriculum are in development and will be publicised in due course.
Back to the top
