clear practical advice

Academy Conversion

Watson Burton LLPGillian Hall

29 January 2013

Who am I?

• Senior partner of Watson Burton and head of the Education and Skills Group

Why convert?

• It’s not about the money• It’s about raising standards

Why convert into an existing MAT?

• Mutual support• Better use of limited budgets

What is a MAT?

• Company limited by guarantee• Exempt charity• Members• Directors• Company Secretary• Obligation to file accounts

What is the process?

• Governing Body decision on what is best for the School• MAT decision on whether there is a good fit• DfE involvement• - outstanding and good schools

- fast track conversions

- sponsored conversions

Next Steps

• MAT carries out due diligence• TUPE process• Supplemental Funding Agreement agreed with DfE• Transfer agreement agreed with the LA• Lease agreed with the LA

Conversion

• Funding agreement signed• Transfer and lease documents completed• School becomes an academy• Local Governing Body appointed• Scheme of delegation adopted

Case Study

• Two primary schools in a hard federation• One outstanding, one good• Conversion into a MAT• Outstanding headteacher• Invited to sponsor a failing primary school and to support

a primary school below the floor

Watson Burton’s role

• Making provision for Local Governing Bodies• Preparing schemes of delegation• Carrying out the due diligence exercise• Running the legal aspects of the conversion with the LA

and the DfE

The outcome

• Autonomy through Local Governing Bodies• Two very good schools helping two less successful

schools• Cost reductions through shared services• Access to better quality services

Structure

Multi Academy TrustMaster Funding AgreementHolds all land and assets,

and employs all staff

Academy AOutstanding

Supplemental FundingAgreement

Local Governing Body – makes school specific decisions subject to

MAT policies

Academy BGood

Supplemental FundingAgreement

Local Governing Body –makes school specific decisions subject to

MAT policies

Academy CFloor

Supplemental FundingAgreement

Local Governing Body –makes school specific decisions subject to

MAT policies

Academy DSponsored

Supplemental FundingAgreement

Local Governing Body –makes school specific decisions subject to

MAT policies

Wellspring Academy Trust

• Same basic structure• Board of Directors• Local Governing Bodies• School Improvement• Shared Services

Any Questions?

• gillan.hall@watsonburton.com• 0845 901 0955• www.watsonburton.com