The Academy Strategy

Academies

Please note: Any change of status for a church school requires DBE (Diocesan Board of Education) approval. The appropriate forms can be found below.

We value all our schools regardless of their school status and do not advocate the academy programme, however, we are here to support schools in their journey to academy status should that be either their governors choice or a requirement of the DfE.

2024 Diocese of Leeds Academy Strategy and Policy.

2024 Guide for governing bodies when considering academy status

Becoming an Academy

The Diocesan Board of Education supports schools in deciding if, when and how to proceed to apply for conversion to academy status. Please contact your named School Adviser for more information.

Federations

Federations are binding agreements between Governing Bodies of different schools.
Two, or more, schools join together with a single Governing Body and Executive head teacher.
Each school maintains its own independence. It is accountable for its own budget and the children registered on roll.
A Scheme of Delegation is in place for each school. It says what the leadership and governance responsibilities are for each school.
Federations usually have one executive headteacher responsible for all the schools in the federation. Each school might have a head of school, leader of teaching and learning or senior teacher who has major leadership responsibilities.
The schools are inspected by Ofsted as separate schools. However, inspection often takes place at all the schools in the Federation the same time.
Church schools and non-church schools can federate.
Approval from the the Diocesan Board iof Education must be sought for any federation.

2024 Federation Guidance for maintained schools

Collaborations

Collaborations between schools can meet manyof the same challenges that federations do.
Collaborations are made through mutual agreements and do not have legal agreements.
Governors agree a Memorandum of Understanding between the schools to protect the relationship.
A school or academy in a collaboration can choose to leave the collaboration in line with the memorandum of Understnading.
The governance, leadership and funding for each school remains separate.
Governos must take care to make sure the working conditions of shared leaders and teachers are reasonable.

Further Support

We have a comprehensive range of training and support. Every school also has a named adviser who is able to offer guidance and support if your school subscribed to the Enhanced Service Plan.