A. Academy Status (Converters)

In 2011 ECARDA teamed up with Wilkin Chapman Grange (Solicitors) who have experience working with schools converting to academy status. Together we are able to offer the full range of professional services to schools who are considering converting at a cost well below the current government grant.
Both ECARDA and Wilkin Chapman Grange have worked with schools from the governors’ consideration of the case for conversion through to the opening of the newly converted academy.

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B. Academy Status (sponsored)

ECARDA members have extensive experience supporting sponsors establish Academies across the country, including the following specific elements of work:

• establishing the sponsorship trust as a charitable company;
• writing expressions of interest and articulating the sponsor’s vision;managing the consultations;
• project management;
• bidding for additional funding;
• negotiating with stakeholders;
• designing the curriculum;
• assessing the staffing requirements, designing staff structures and managing staff transfers;
  timetabling;
• recruitment of new staff;
• writing the academy brief;
• assessing space requirements and informing the design brief.

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C. Multi Academy Trusts

ECARDA members have experience in supporting sponsors establish and extend their multi-academy trusts by undertaking tasks listed above and:

• Writing proposals for sponsors in response to local authority advertising and seeking proposers to run schools
  
• Undertaking due diligence tests on existing schools