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  • Academy conversion
  • Becoming an academy

Academy conversion: step-by-step process

Be clear on the academy conversion process, including information on preparing to convert, submitting the application form, and setting up an academy trust. Use our checklist to keep track of the tasks you need to complete.

Last reviewed on 3 December 2024
School types: Maintained•School phases: All•Ref: 1147
Contents
  1. Download our checklist 
  2. Step 1: before you apply
  3. Step 2: apply to convert
  4. Step 3: set up or join an academy trust
  5. Step 4: transfer responsibilities to the academy trust 
  6. Step 5: prepare to open as an academy 
  7. Step 6: open as an academy
  8. Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Downloads
KeyDoc: academy conversion checklist
docx
Download
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This article is based on the DfE's guide to academy conversion.

Note: the government has announced plans to close the ESFA by March 2025. Instead, funding will be administered directly by the DfE. We don't expect funding arrangements to change, but we’ll update this article if new guidance is published.

Download our checklist 

Download our checklist for the conversion process so you've got all of the steps you need to follow at your fingertips, and you can tick them off as you go:

KeyDoc: academy conversion checklist DOCX, 138.3 KB
Download

The rest of this article details what we've included in the checklist – so we'd suggest reading the article before using the checklist. Plus, there are some FAQs at the end.

Register your interest Once you've filled in and submitted the form, you'll be given the name of your DfE project lead Read the Academy Trust Handbook Read the good practice guidance for academy trusts Consider the different types of academy (see the

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