Plan A+

With all the media focus on free schools, it's easy to forget that the number of academies in the UK has rocketed in recent years. But what exactly is going on in the new academies, and why did these institutions make the switch from being 'ordinary' schools in the first place?

To answer these questions, the Schools Network recently carried out what it claims is the "biggest ever survey of academies". Approximately a third of existing academies took part in the research, providing information on topics such as changes in funding arrangements, freedom from the National Curriculum, opportunities for innovation and more. At the end of the document, the Schools Network also makes recommendations for the further development of this sector.

The final report is entitled Plan A+ : Unleashing the Potential of Academies. To read it in full, click here.