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Academy conversion: FAQs

Last reviewed on 30 March 2017
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School types: All · School phases: All

This article addresses a number of frequently asked questions about academy conversion, including which schools can convert and whether schools can change their mind about converting. It also answers questions on multi-academy trusts and what happens if a school has a budget deficit or surplus.

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Contents

  1. Which schools can convert to an academy?
  2. Can we change our mind about converting to an academy after consulting?
  3. If we change our mind and decide to join a MAT, do we need to consult again?
  4. How can we convert to a co-operative MAT?
  5. Does an academy joining a MAT keep its company registration number?
  6. Does a VC school need to gain consent from its trust?
  7. Will Ofsted downgrade a school for not converting?
  8. How can we estimate our budget until our conversion date?
  9. What if my school has a budget deficit?
  10. What if my school has a budget surplus?
  11. Can we bring forward the academy conversion date?
  12. What happens to a federation when schools convert?
  13. What are the implications of academisation on nursery provision?

Which schools can convert to an academy?

The Department for Education (DfE) says that all schools, except special schools, can apply to convert to academies online.

Special schools and schools that prefer to use a paper form can apply via the academy conversion application forms, available here:

Convert to an academy: documents for schools, GOV.UK – DfE

However, an article on the Children and Young People Now website explains that nursery schools cannot currently convert to academy status.

MPs call for nursery schools to become academies, Children and Young People Now, 11 April 2016

A representative from the academies team at the DfE told us that if a school applies to become an academy, but then changes its mind about converting after the consultation period, it can pull out of the process. In this instance, the school should

Also in this topic: Becoming an academy
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