Academy applications slump to 10-year low for the first two months of 2025
In the pipeline: both voluntary and forced academy new project numbers have been low so far this year. Image: iStock/Getty Images
Low voluntary application numbers in both January and February this year, following spike in December.
The number of schools choosing to become academies has slumped to its lowest February figure in at least a decade, new data released by the Department for Education has shown.
There were only 17 applications from schools to become academies in February 2025, which is less than a third of the figure of 52 for the corresponding month last year. The only February in the past 10 years to come close to this small a figure was March 2021, during the pandemic period, when 19 schools applied.
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By Warwick Mansell for EDUCATION UNCOVERED
Published: 24 April 2025
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A very welcome trend. One hopes it continues.