Academies
The role of the YPLA and Academies
The YPLA is responsible for the funding and support of open Academies.
Introduction to Academies
Academies are publicly funded independent schools that benefit from greater freedoms to help innovate and raise standards. These include freedom from local authority control, ability to set pay and conditions for staff, freedom from following the National Curriculum and the ability to change the lengths of terms and school days.
The Academies Programme was first introduced in March 2000 with the objective of replacing poorly performing schools. Academies were established and driven by external sponsors, to achieve a transformation in education performance.
Changing Landscape
The Government has expanded the Academies Programme through legislation in the Academies Act 2010. This enables all maintained primary, secondary and special schools to apply to become an Academy. The early focus is on schools rated outstanding by Ofsted and the first of these new Academies opened in September 2010. These schools do not have a sponsor but instead are expected to work with underperforming schools to help raise standards.
The Government will also continue to transform underperforming schools by turning them into Academies led by a strong sponsor.
The YPLA's objective is to support the expansion programme by fulfilling the requirements of the remit letter and the further requirements of the Government.
