The Academies Programme

HC 402, Fifty-second Report of Session 2006-07 - Report, Together with Formal Minutes, Oral and Written Evidence

Author:

House of Commons - Committee of Public Accounts

Publisher:

TSO (The Stationery Office)

An academy is a new type of school that is publicly funded, supported by one or more sponsors, and operates independently of the local authority. Their aim is to raise achievement standards in deprived areas by replacing poorly performing schools or by providing new school places where they are needed. By September 2007 83 academies were in operation, with plans for 200 academies to be opened by 2010 at a capital cost of around £5 billion.

Following on from a February 2007 report by the National Audit Office on this topic ('The Academies Programme (HC 254)' ISBN 0102944423, available below), the Committee's report examines the progress of the Academies Programme and whether it is on track to achieve its objectives.

Findings include:

• The average capital cost of the first new-build academies was £27 million, compared with between £20-22 million for other new secondary schools.

• Exclusions of pupils are higher on average from academies that other schools.

• Although there are signs of progress being made, such as improvements at GCSE and key stage 3 levels, achievements in literacy and numeracy levels are lower than other secondary schools and it is too early to tell whether rising attainment is sustainable.

The Committee concludes that academies need to collaborate more with other secondary schools and lessons need to be learned from completed academy projects in terms of improving project management and reducing cost overruns.

Extent	44 pages	ISBN	9780215036445
Size	A4	Price	£11.00
Binding	Paperback	Published	18 Oct 2007
Availability	Colour copy: 3 - 5 days	Delivery	Delivery options and charges

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