More Oxfordshire schools expected to consider switch to academy status

Thames Valley accountants and business advisers James Cowper Kreston is expecting to see a steady increase in the numbers of schools announcing an intention to apply for academy status when they re-open in September.

This follows the executive of Oxfordshire County Council voting last month to support every school that wishes to become an academy. At each school the decision ultimately has to be taken by its governors but the vote is seen as influential, not least because the council has earmarked £600,000 of reserves to provide support for conversions.

Andy Jones, a director in James Cowper Kreston’s Oxford office, said: “Schools changing to academy status are independent of local authority control and enjoy greater freedoms over budgets and how they organise themselves. This can be an attractive prospect but to secure the benefits they also have to take on new obligations and will have to tackle many issues through the conversion process and as a newly converted academy school.”

As at 1 August 2012, there are 17 open academies in Oxfordshire (which includes three sponsored academies), with a further seven schools that have registered with the DfE and in the process of going through conversion.

Andy offered this general advice on some of the key issues for schools to consider in converting to academy status:

• Make sure you have done extensive background research on the pros and cons of academy status, including consulting other schools with experience of the process, and develop a plan with a clear focus on why you are converting.
• Involve staff at an early stage and put together a conversion team or working group and appoint someone from the school who will be responsible for the overall project management.
• Appoint advisers early in the process and choose ones who have sector experience so they can add value through the process.
• Review the trading activities that the school carries out and discuss the implications of these with your advisers at an early stage. It may be that you will need to consider establishing a trading subsidiary.
• Get all your documentation together such as title deeds, staff information, key contracts and funding arrangements.
• Make sure you understand the financial and legal reporting responsibilities that will come with academy status and consult your financial and legal advisers on this.

Andy concludes: “Above all, remember to consult and if in doubt consult further. The conversion process can be a time consuming and intense process, but with good planning, good project management and the right advice, you will get there.”

James Cowper Kreston acts for a number of schools and academies across the Thames Valley and further afield, including Langtree Academy School in Woodcote, The Henry Box Academy School in Witney, The Oratory School in Reading and the LVS School in Ascot.

Andy Jones, Director, James Cowper Kreston LLP, Tel +44 (0)1865 861166 or email