By Vivienne Russell
14 March 2011
Most schools planning to become academies are doing so because they believe they will benefit financially, a poll has revealed.
A survey of 1,471 secondary schools, published by the Association of School and College Leaders during their weekend conference, revealed that almost half are intending to convert to academy status (38%) or have already done so (8%).
Of these, 72% cite financial gain as the reason. Greater freedom and autonomy were mentioned by 58% of the group, and dissatisfaction with the local authority by 24%.
One respondent to the survey said: ‘With cuts to central budgets, there is really no option for us but to become an academy to protect jobs and resources. Also, the local authority is slow to respond to our needs and has not invested in us in a number of years.’
Another said: ‘I feel that I have been forced into this decision because of the financial benefits of moving [to academy status] sooner rather than later.’
Nineteen per cent of the schools polled said they had no plans to become an academy, while 34% said they were still undecided. Of these groups, more than half (51%) said they don’t believe there is enough to gain from academy status, while 40% cited concerns about the effect it would have on other schools in their area.
Commenting on the survey’s findings, ASCL general secretary Brian Lightman said: ‘The Department for Education has said in its documentation that there should be no financial incentive or disincentive for becoming an academy but this is certainly not the message getting through to schools.
‘It is very clear that early converters have gained financially and therefore will be able to protect their budgets in ways which other schools have not. Although they know this funding bonus will not be sustainable, they see it as a way of cushioning schools from the cuts of the next few years.’
