23 September 2011
Our Sittingbourne office has been appointed to help nine Kent schools with their new responsibilities following conversion to Academies, and have developed a specialist team of qualified professionals to focus on the special needs of Academy schools.
Highsted Grammar School (Sittingbourne), Rochester Grammar School, Chatham House Grammar School and Clarendon House Grammar School (both Ramsgate), Dane Court Grammar School (Broadstairs), King Ethelbert School (Birchington), Hartsdown Technology College (Margate), Chatham Grammar School for Boys and Warren Road Primary School (Orpington) have all converted to Academy status in recent months, in order to benefit from the greater freedom that Academy status gives schools to manage their own budgets, teaching and curriculum. Academy schools can also set the pay and conditions of their staff, and adapt the length of terms and teaching days.
We have also been invited to tender for the audits of a number of other schools that are planning to become Academies in the near future, and so expect to be assisting many more schools in the coming months.
Allan Hickie, partner at our Sittingbourne office, said: “Initially the focus was on schools that are already attaining the very highest standards, such as those schools rated outstanding by Ofsted, but now the Government is encouraging all schools to take Academy status, in order to gain more control over how they manage their budgets.”
“It’s a great opportunity for schools to ensure that they spend money where it will bring the greatest benefit to pupils.”
“For example, rather than automatically taking specialist services such as support for students with special needs from the local authority, schools can look around to ensure that they are getting the very best possible provision.”
“This greater independence naturally gives schools greater management responsibilities. We are delighted to be helping so many Kent based schools at such an exciting stage in their development.”
One of the Academies we have been working with is Dane Court Grammar School in Broadstairs. Jean Simmons, the Finance Manager at Dane Court, which converted to Academy status on 1 April 2011, feels that we have been invaluable during the school's early months as an Academy. Jean said "We are able to raise any query or concern and always receive a prompt and reassuring answer making us feel our custom is valued and important to UHY. UHY Hacker Young have a client friendly & helpful manner, and offer a personal touch with their service. We have and are happy to recommend UHY to other Academies."
Allan commented: “We are now working with a growing number of Academy schools, making UHY Hacker Young one of the county's leading advisers to Academy transfer schools.”
“Academies have very specific requirements, and we are providing audit and accounts services, conversion support, and advice on VAT matters. We are also assisting Academies with meeting the requirements of the Responsible Officer role detailed in the Academies Financial Handbook.”
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