Sponsoring An Academy

The Prime Minister recently invited heads of some of the country's leading independent schools to Downing Street with the intention of persuading them to 'sponsor an academy'. The message delivered was that he is keen to see more independent schools becoming involved in the state sector and playing a key role in the support of fledgling academies. While the current political pressure on independent schools to get involved is high, this is not a new approach. The "Academies and Independent Schools Prospectus" was published by the Department for Children Schools and Families in 2007, and espouses a similar message to that being put about by the politicians today.

The extent to which independent schools will think this is a good idea and come on board remains to be seen. Several independent schools which are already involved with academies have recently gone on the record stating that the current political pressure to get involved is not helpful. However, recent press