Question from Trudy Dean to 22 July Full Council Meeting: Academy Status [Updated with answer]

4.19.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 16th Jul 2010

Question by Mrs Dean To The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education:

Will the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education please say what the consequences could be for Kent County Council Support Services, and for future admissions if a number of Kent schools opt for Academy status and can she say what representations KCC has made to the government on this issue?

Answer given in writing after Full Council meeting, 22 July:

"As far as support services are concerned that is a difficult question to answer at this point. The current methodology for funding new academies and the low number seeking to convert mean that in the current year the impact will be very small. Services currently operating on a traded basis with schools can continue to offer services to converting schools. One of our key concerns - as highlighted in the report to CFE Resources & Infrastructure POSC this week - is that the government may seek to change the methodology of academy funding from as early as next year. This issue is one of the many questions we have been raising through all avenues with Ministers and DfE officials but to date we have not had any answers.

"In terms of Admissions the new academies would become Admissions authorities in their own right - but many of those seeking to convert already are as they are Foundation Schools. Kent will continue to administer the admissions process for all schools in the county and as with the existing arrangements all schools will have to abide by the national Code of Practice."