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The nature of Academy projects has always been a dynamic and evolving one and the introduction of the Academies Act in 2010 represents some of the biggest challenges and most exciting changes and opportunities to education in the UK.
As free, government-funded schools, Academies provide a fresh approach to learning and state-of-the-art facilities to raise standards of achievement among all students of all abilities. Each Academy is individual and develops to reflect local needs. One of the most distinctive features of Academies is the freedoms and autonomy granted to them that are usually associated with independent schools. Some of their unique freedoms include:
- Freedom over the Academy’s budget.
- Freedom to develop own Curriculum.
- Freedom from local authority control.
- Freedom to set the lengths of terms and school days.
- Freedom to set pay and conditions for staff.
The process of converting to an Academy can be quite overwhelming, fortunately PKF are experts in delivering Academies. As outstanding Project Managers we understand all the different features required to establish an Academy on time and to budget; from the Legal, HR and TUPE issues; to the ICT Strategy, land and buildings, consultation and curriculum development. We are experts and work with Sponsors, Education Advisers, Lawyers, PfS, local stakeholder groups, the Department for Education and Local Authorities to provide a seamless and coherent transition.
Our experience stems back to 2006, since then we have successfully delivered over 30 Academies all of a different nature – giving us a breadth and depth of experience which we ensure is applied across all projects we work on.
Our skills and expertise comes from having worked on a number of different academy models including:
- Brand new academies – BOA
- UTC Academies – The JCB Academy
- All Age Academies – William Hulme, Birkenhead High School Academy
- Multi Sponsor Academies – The Maltby Academy
- Faith Academies – The De La Salle Academy
- Accelerated Academies – Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy, South Wolverhampton and Bilston Academy
- Two schools into one Academy – North East Wolverhampton, University Church of England Academy and Waterhead Academy, Oldham
- Federated Academies - Barnfield West and Barnfield South Academies, South Wolverhampton and Bilston Academy and North East Wolverhampton.
Our success as project managers lies in how we work with you to ensure that the formation and/or transition is properly and appropriately planned for. We take the time to build strong and effective working relationships; understand your culture, motivations and ways of working in order to inform and flexibly manage the pressures of the whole process, so it is an easy, enjoyable, manageable, and exciting experience for all involved.
PKF have developed an enviable reputation in the field of project management. Our project managers are well respected for their assistance, support and management and offer a truly tailored and distinctive service to their sponsors, and stakeholders enabling them to create and build successful Academies that not only reflect but also achieve the sponsor’s vision.
If you are considering becoming an Academy and would like some more information or a free informal discussion or half day workshop please click here | |
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