The academisation process and “limbo” schools: what we’ve learnt

Education Uncovered has published three articles on the academisation process and so-called “limbo” or “orphan” schools in recent days.

Academisation can begin either when a school is said to be “causing concern” – for example through failing an Ofsted report, in which case a transition to academy status will be ordered by the government – or where the institution’s governing body applies voluntarily to become an academy.

Here’s what we’ve learnt:

-The government, which is legally required to pass an academy order when a school fails an Ofsted inspection, is in at least some cases doing so before the inspection report has even been published. See story here.

-However, despite this legal process kicking in quickly, in some cases the processs by which the school becomes an academy can be tortuous.