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Academy up-front payment dropped | Academy up-front payment dropped |
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The government is to make it easier for private sponsors to take over and run English state schools, in a bid to speed up its academies programme. | The government is to make it easier for private sponsors to take over and run English state schools, in a bid to speed up its academies programme. |
Instead of providing up-front funds of £2m, potential backers will now have to prove "the necessary skills and leadership" to run an academy. | Instead of providing up-front funds of £2m, potential backers will now have to prove "the necessary skills and leadership" to run an academy. |
The lowering of barriers to sponsor these independent state schools comes as ministers open the 200th academy. | The lowering of barriers to sponsor these independent state schools comes as ministers open the 200th academy. |
The start of the new school year is due to see an additional 67 academies. | The start of the new school year is due to see an additional 67 academies. |
Children's Secretary Ed Balls has said he wants to "attract successful charities, parents' groups and private firms" as academy sponsors. | Children's Secretary Ed Balls has said he wants to "attract successful charities, parents' groups and private firms" as academy sponsors. |
The dropping of the £2m requirement is intended to both accelerate the number of academies opening and appeal to organisations which might have been deterred by the cost. | The dropping of the £2m requirement is intended to both accelerate the number of academies opening and appeal to organisations which might have been deterred by the cost. |
Endowments | Endowments |
Sir Cyril Taylor, Specialist Schools and Academies Trust Council: "Academies have been extraordinary" | |
The government says academies help to break cycles of underachievement in schools in deprived areas. | The government says academies help to break cycles of underachievement in schools in deprived areas. |
They are state schools - with no fees or selection - but with an independent ethos shaped by the sponsor. | They are state schools - with no fees or selection - but with an independent ethos shaped by the sponsor. |
Since the scheme was launched in 2002, academy sponsors have included businesses, universities, faith groups and charities. | Since the scheme was launched in 2002, academy sponsors have included businesses, universities, faith groups and charities. |
The milestone of 200 academies is now a year ahead of target - with plans to open a further 200. | The milestone of 200 academies is now a year ahead of target - with plans to open a further 200. |
Among the new schools opening on Monday will be the City Academy in Hackney, sponsored by the The City of London Corporation and KPMG; the Health Academy in Manchester, sponsored by the local NHS trust and North Birmingham Academy, whose sponsors include Aston Villa football club. | Among the new schools opening on Monday will be the City Academy in Hackney, sponsored by the The City of London Corporation and KPMG; the Health Academy in Manchester, sponsored by the local NHS trust and North Birmingham Academy, whose sponsors include Aston Villa football club. |
'Divided views' | 'Divided views' |
The waiver of financial sponsorship has already been introduced for universities, colleges and schools. | The waiver of financial sponsorship has already been introduced for universities, colleges and schools. |
Instead of an initial cash investment, would-be sponsors will be expected to follow a "robust, transparent procurement process to demonstrate commitment to the education sector and the necessary skills and leadership". | Instead of an initial cash investment, would-be sponsors will be expected to follow a "robust, transparent procurement process to demonstrate commitment to the education sector and the necessary skills and leadership". |
Sponsors will still be encouraged to set up an endowment to help fund the school - in a way that the government likens to endowments for universities in the United States. | Sponsors will still be encouraged to set up an endowment to help fund the school - in a way that the government likens to endowments for universities in the United States. |
But teachers' unions have been sceptical of the academy programme - arguing that the extra spending on academies has had a divisive impact on other local schools. | But teachers' unions have been sceptical of the academy programme - arguing that the extra spending on academies has had a divisive impact on other local schools. |
There have also been mixed views from parents. Many academies have been oversubscribed - while there have also been some local protests against the introduction of academies. | There have also been mixed views from parents. Many academies have been oversubscribed - while there have also been some local protests against the introduction of academies. |
The Conservatives are supporters of academies - but say that the schools should have even greater independence and have accused the government of diluting their ability to innovate. | The Conservatives are supporters of academies - but say that the schools should have even greater independence and have accused the government of diluting their ability to innovate. |