Talk

They don't have to abide by the burgundy book so check what their pay and conditions are.

If you're planning on taking maternity leave soon, you would have to build your entitlement up again as the academy counts as a new employer.

It really depends on the academy. My last school was an academy and absolute hell. Current school is an academy but you wouldn't know it.

I'd say the biggest difference is that Academies don't have to adhere to STPCD (Burgundy Book) which can have an ENORMOUS impact on your terms and conditions of work. Some academies are fine, and continue to follow the main principles, others have torn it up completely. Look very carefully at your proposed contract, and directed hours before verbally agreeing to anything in an academy.

Thanks everyone. What about the leadership structure? Is the executive head really the head with the heads being deputies in each school? Is the school head usually able to make decisions etc?

Check things like- length of service, my MAT ignores previous service outside the MAT for stuff like sickpsy or mat leave.
Working hours- out contact time starts at 8.30 now, not 8.45. That's 45 hours extra over the year!