Schools that have experienced delays converting to academy status in Nottinghamshire have been given a boost after Nottinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet agreed to additional staffing to help speed up the process.

Twenty-two schools in Nottinghamshire are currently in the pipeline for academisation. Three of these schools are subject to what’s known as a Directive Academy Order (DAO) which are issued following Ofsted inspections of Inadequate or consecutive Requires Improvement judgments that legally require them to convert to academy status.

Nineteen schools in the county have also opted to join an academy trust but are delayed from doing so due to the lengthy and complex administration process. The council recognises that at the current conversion rate, it will take upwards of two years to support all of the other schools in the pipeline to become academies.

Academies are state-funded schools but unlike other state-funded schools are  independent from local authorities, meaning that they are not overseen by councils and have more freedom in how the school is run.

The council’s cabinet which met on Thursday 19 September has now committed to fund a dedicated academy conversion coordinator to help manage the process.

Councillor Sam Smith, Cabinet Member, Education and Special Educational Needs & Disabilities said: “I am delighted that Cabinet has approved these plans to work with schools and prospective academy trusts to offer clear guidance and support to help them realise their plans.

“Many schools across Nottinghamshire have already joined successful trusts and are now benefiting from quality of educational improvements, administrative support, budget savings and professional development.

“We know that there are many other schools that have set out their ambition to join academy trusts, but that process can be challenging. The extra resource is a small step but will support schools to access information and guidance to help school leaders, governors, and stakeholders to work through the academisation process.

“This is just a first step so we’re also exploring the feasibility of additional legal and financial support that could assist even further into the future.

“The county council is here for every pupil in Nottinghamshire whether they are part of an academy trust or not and I  remain committed to supporting schools to improve management, drive up standards and become more sustainable so that every child thrives, wherever they learn.”