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Academy orders

Understand what an academy order is and what boards who are subject to one need to know.

Guidance
27/11/2024

This guidance has been updated to reflect the removal of Ofsted single headline grades and recent changes to the DfE's Support and intervention in schools guidance.

An academy order is a legal instruction which will ultimately lead to a maintained school academising and joining a multi academy trust (MAT). In most cases, an academy order is triggered when a school is judged 'requires significant improvement' or 'special measures' by Ofsted.

The regions group (RG) will focus on moving the school into a trust without delay so that pupils’ outcomes can be improved as soon as possible. A sponsor trust is usually identified by RG and is sometimes named on the academy order.

The governing board will be expected to work constructively with their local authority and RG to implement the academy order and facilitate academisation (as is their legal duty).

Our guidance will help governing boards who are subject to an academy order know what to expect from the process.

The guide covers:

  • What is an academy order?
  • What does an academy order mean for the governing board?
  • Interim support available
  • Working with the trust

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