CAN faith schools become academies?

[annh]

Have heard conflicting things as to whether faith schools can apply for academy status. Some people say no because the church owns the land on which the schools are built, others have said yes? Anyone know for sure?

[Jaq13]

Hi anmh, the independent catholic school we're considering sending our DS to is in the process of becoming an academy and will remain a (christian) faith school. I understand the local authority are supporting this although it's not yet finalised. So, looks like the answer is yes!

[hornofplenty]

Yes, often a Christian charity backs academies.

[webwiz]

All state catholic schools have been advised to wait for guidance from the Catholic Education Service about academy status.

[hornofplenty]

That is interesting, are there Catholic academies already. I only know of broadly Christian or CofE ones?

[annh]

Kust bumping this up for the daytime people and also thinking that I should have posted in Education rather than Primary! I am talking about state schools, btw.

[webwiz]

I'm a governor at a catholic primary school and we have been sent a briefing about academy status. Here's a quote from it:

"At this time very little detail is known about the proposals beyond what is contained in the briefing note that came with the Queen?s Speech . The Catholic Education Service (CES) have obtained an assurance that Catholic schools will not be able to apply to become Academies without the consent of their Trustees.

The proposals potentially have far reaching implications for the Catholic education. These will need to be considered by the Bishops? Conference and Dioceses once the proposals become known. Detailed advice from the Diocese will follow once the detailed proposals have been scrutinised.

At this stage, therefore, schools are advised to take no action."