A focus on academy conversion

A key issue we often get asked about at Entrust is academy conversion. So, earlier this month we invited Jeff Marshall from J & G Marshall Ltd to talk through the process at our latest ‘Focus on’ event. Jeff has been Chair of Governors at a primary school for over 20 years and has over 26 years of experience in finance.

Understanding the political narrative

Back in 2010, when David Cameron walked through the door of Number 10, he changed the face of the academies programme. He promised that all schools that were judged outstanding by Ofsted would be given the opportunity to become academies. This would lift the remaining constraints from local authorities and give schools freedom to set their curriculum, pay rates and admissions policies. David Cameron felt that staff and parents were closest to the ‘beating heart’ of the school and were best placed to make decisions.

However, Jeff explained that terminology is key; “It’s really important to focus on the word ‘academy’, because over the next four to five years, every school that converted to an academy, did so as a single academy trust. They left the authority, changed their relationship with the authority and continued working alone.”

When the Education Secretary, Nicky Morgan, launched the education white paper in 2016, she said that schools would all be a member of a ‘Multi-Academy Trust’ by 2021. This indicated a change in terminology rather than a change in direction.

In 2019, when Boris Johnson won the election with a majority of 80, the Department for Education (DfE) started to look at what needed to be done to encourage all remaining schools to join a Trust. Jeff explained, “This year, the final part of the jigsaw dropped with the latest white paper. It says all schools will be in a strong Trust, or in the process of joining one by 2030.”

The next step on the journey

Jeff continued by explaining the options that schools had before the white paper has been published. Understandably, some schools that have good governance, data and finance and are providing everything their staff, pupils and parents need, have questioned why they need to make a change to fit a political narrative when elections come every five years. Jeff answered this by stating:

“Option one of doing nothing is an understandable thought process, however the caveat has always been to have a plan B in case something comes along to hurt you. The white paper has now set the clock ticking and schools must start thinking about how to start their academy journey.

Option two is to join an existing Multi-Academy Trust. This is the path of least resistance, as you do less work joining a Trust than creating one. The caveat to this is to choose your Trust wisely and always do your due diligence properly.

Option 3, before the white paper, was to create your own Trust and seek others to join you, but the caveat to this was always choose your partners wisely and do your due diligence properly.”

There are five key areas of due diligence:

1. Standards and track record
2. People and leadership
3. Financial sustainability
4. Vision and growth
5. Risk management and mitigation

The importance of a good team of governors

With the latest white paper, option one of doing nothing has now been taken away, because there is now a 2030 deadline. The DfE has also advised that option three of creating a new Trust has a shorter shelf-life because the white paper says that schools should join a strong Trust in their area if one already exists.

There are 12,000 schools in the UK that are not yet academies and since the white paper was published there has been an 1,000% increase in schools looking at how to create their own academy, so they can retain control. There is now a time-limit on this option and schools need to act quickly.

The role of governors is vital in helping to decide what is best for each school, as Jeff explained, “This has landed on our generation of governors and it for us to decide where our school ends up, and the only way you can do that, as a governor, is to seek as much information as possible. Having the right set of people sat around your school, with the right skillset and right mindset, helps schools to make better decisions which leads to better outcomes for children.”

Here to support your academy journey

Our experienced specialists can help to reduce the stress of converting to an academy or growing your existing Trust. Entrust and Jeff Marshall work together to offer expert advice and support every step of the way. To find out more get in touch.