Academies: making significant changes or closure by agreement
Guidance for academy trusts planning to make organisational changes or close an academy by mutual agreement with the Secretary of State.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
These guidance documents and forms are for academy trusts.
Making significant changes to an open academy guidance is for academy trusts wishing to make organisational changes to their school. Changes include:
- physical expansion
- merging with another academy
- changing the school’s age range
- changing the school’s faith designation
The guidance sets out the process trusts need to follow, and explains which application form to complete.
The forms to request a significant change are available in OpenDocument format and in Word.
Closure of an academy by mutual agreement guidance explains when the closure of an academy might be an appropriate solution to address standards or viability issues. It:
- sets out processes for closing an academy by mutual agreement with the Secretary of State
- provides guidance as to when academy trusts should talk to other parties
Last updated 30 January 2023 + show all updates
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Updated 'Closure of an academy by mutual agreement’ to remove outdated references and expand guidance on the closure of special educational provision.
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We have made 'Making significant changes to an open academy and closure by mutual agreement' easier to use by putting it into 2 separate documents: 'Closure of an academy by mutual agreement' and 'Making significant changes to an open academy'. 'Making significant changes to an open academy' has been updated for January 2022.
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Updated the 'Full business case application form' and the 'Fast track application form'.
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Updated 'Making significant changes to an open academy and closure by mutual agreement' document.
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Updated page title and summary.
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New version of 'Making significant changes to an open academy and closure by mutual agreement' added along with updated fast track and full business case application forms.
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Updated information on fast track and business case applications, new school places, and the roles of regional schools commissioners and headteacher boards.
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A revised 'Preparing a business case for a significant change at an existing academy' advice document and a business case guide document have been added to this page.
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First published.