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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 simply have to prove "the necessary skills and leadership" to run an academy.Instead of providing up-front funds of £2m, potential backers will now simply 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 for sponsors of these independent state schools comes as ministers open the 200th one.
The start of the new school year is due to see an additional 67 academies. An additional 67 academies are being opened this term.
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.
Sir Cyril Taylor, Specialist Schools and Academies Trust Council: "Academies have been extraordinary"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.
On BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Balls denied the government was "rushing" to open academies at the expense of good planning. Mr Balls denied, on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, that the government was "rushing" to open academies at the expense of good planning.
He said sponsoring an academy should not depend on a body having £2m but whether it had "educational expertise, track record and commitment".He said sponsoring an academy should not depend on a body having £2m but whether it had "educational expertise, track record and commitment".
"That way I can get more people from a wider spectrum of expertise to come forward. We will make sure in every case that the sponsor is up to the job," he added."That way I can get more people from a wider spectrum of expertise to come forward. We will make sure in every case that the sponsor is up to the job," he added.
Among the new schools opening on Monday will be the City Academy in Hackney, sponsored by 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 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.
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 - an arrangement 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 - an arrangement that the government likens to endowments for universities in the United States.
Divided viewsDivided views
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.
NUT general secretary Christine Blower said: "We don't believe that taking schools out of their local authorities and having them run by people who have no experience of running schools... is a way of doing school improvement."NUT general secretary Christine Blower said: "We don't believe that taking schools out of their local authorities and having them run by people who have no experience of running schools... is a way of doing school improvement."
Dr Mary Bousted, from the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said taxpayer-owned school property was being handed to private interests with little accountability and that under future governments state schools could be run for profit. Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said taxpayer-owned school property was being handed to private interests with little accountability and that under future governments state schools could be run for profit.
However, Lynn Gadd, principal at the Harefield Academy, in Uxbridge, Middlesex, said: "I don't think there's any evidence at all that people are looking for profit.However, Lynn Gadd, principal at the Harefield Academy, in Uxbridge, Middlesex, said: "I don't think there's any evidence at all that people are looking for profit.
"Local people are governors. They certainly aren't going to let me do anything that isn't in the interests of young people in my care.""Local people are governors. They certainly aren't going to let me do anything that isn't in the interests of young people in my care."
Academies have provoked a mixed response from parents. Many academies have been oversubscribed - while there have also been some local protests against the introduction of academies.Academies have provoked a mixed response 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.