Great Smeaton Academy Conversion

Work began on the conversion in February and it officially took effect on September 1.

 

Headteacher Kathryn Bell and chair of governors Diane Addison managed the process with support and legal advice from BHP Law, whose specialist solicitors have handled a number of academy conversions in recent months.

 

Miss Bell said governors agreed that becoming an academy was in the best interests of the children for the freedoms it gives school leaders.

 

“The more we looked into what converting from a maintained school to an academy would mean, the more we realised where we could make huge savings, achieve better value for money and redirect resources for the benefit of our children,” she said.

 

“As a small rural primary school the budget we receive is a fraction of that of a large secondary school. Every single penny counts for us. We also felt that, as professionals, we could provide a tailor-made and relevant curriculum for our children.”

 

 

Although Great Smeaton has a relatively high proportion of children with special educational needs, its catchment means it qualifies for little additional funding which is more often directed to schools in more challenging areas.

 

While the headteacher and chair of governors managed the conversion ‘in-house’, the legal aspects were one area where they had to seek professional advice.

 

David Lucas, a company law specialist at BHP Law, led a legal team which advised the governors on the conversion process, their responsibilities as directors of the new academy, property arrangements, the funding agreement with the Department for Education and the transfer of staff from North Yorkshire County Council, to ensure they fulfilled their legal and contractual requirements.

 

He explained: “We have advised a number of schools converting into academies, both large secondary schools and village primaries. Although the overall process is set out by the Department for Education, every school is different and has specific needs. Being local means we are approachable and are there whenever needed to guide governors.

 

“It has been a pleasure working with the headteacher and governors of Great Smeaton and we wish them, all the staff, children and parents the very best as they begin life as an academy.”

 

Miss Bell added: “Conversion is not particularly complex but it can be lengthy and daunting and we wanted to manage it as efficiently and effectively as possible. One of the governing body’s key aims, particularly with thoughts of becoming an academy, was to use local companies’ expertise wherever possible.

 

“Without the benefit of dedicated business managers it was essential that we appointed lawyers who understood and were experienced in the conversion process to work with us.

 

“BHP were fantastic. When you’re up against a deadline and you need certain information or questions answering we knew there was always someone local at the end of the phone to help or to attend face to face meetings at the school.

 

“They have been more than legal advisors, they’ve also been a huge moral support and absolutely key in helping us achieve conversion on time.”

 

Great Smeaton Academy Primary School has 56 children in four classes and draws pupils from three different education areas as far away as Darlington, Northallerton and Yarm.