Academies and Free Schools - impact, expansion and further reform

Following the opening of the first Free Schools in September 2011 and as Government seeks to expand the number of schools converting to Academies, this timely seminar will bring together key stakeholders from across the education sector to discuss the future of the programme. We expect sessions to examine the next steps for the Academies programme including the expansion into Primary Schools, 6th form colleges and Pupil Referral Units; the possibility of opening new Grammar Schools; and Government plans to convert all under-performing schools to Academy status. Best practice in converting to an Academy and setting up a Free School; the statutory requirements and 'freedoms' of Free Schools; the changing role of local authorities in education will also be discussed.