This conversion can improve value for money through efficiencies and economies of scale, whilst preserving the distinctive character of their offer.
Many sixth form colleges took up the opportunity to convert to academy status as part of the programme of area reviews. The opportunity to apply to convert to academy status has continued to be made available to sixth form colleges beyond the end of the area review programme in March 2019; and with the vision to drive up educational standards across the system and following the Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022, provision is being made for sixth form colleges that are designated as having a religious character to apply to convert to academy status.
A sixth form college can become a 16 – 19 academy using the provisions of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, which enable a sixth form college corporation to dissolve and transfer its property, rights and liabilities to a new or existing multi academy trust.
Colleges that are interested in becoming an Academy should:
- Develop a vision to
- Form a multi academy trust with local schools or similar 16- 19 colleges
- Join in with an existing multi academy trust
- Obtain agreement for their proposals from their existing sixth form college corporation, the directors of any academy trust they are joining and any religious authority
- Complete an application to convert to become an academy
- Once the application is approved by a Regional Director within the DfE
- A conversion support grant of £25,000 will be provided towards the cost of legal and other associated fees
- The college will be subject to a viability and sustainability assessment using
- The latest set of college audited financial statements:
- Management Letter;
- Annual report of the audit committee
- College Financial Forecasting Return (CFFR)
The next steps
So, if you are a sixth form college interested in becoming an Academy, please contact your local UHY office for further information and support.
