London, 16 June 2014 – ICSA Publishing, the Institute of Chartered Secretary and Administrators’ publishing arm, has produced the UK’s first book dealing with how best to run an academy school. With 3613 converter and sponsored academies existing as at January 2014 according to the Department forEducation, and more in the pipeline, the timing couldn’t be better.The academy structure offers significant freedoms and opportunities, but as the current political debate about academy schools in Birmingham has shown, it also brings increased duties and responsibilities for the schools and the people involved in running them. This book is a must-read for all those requiring indepth knowledge of the legal and regulatory compliance issues surrounding academy schools. Author Katie Paxton-Doggett FCIS, says that “The number of academies has grown exponentially since they were first introduced in 2000 by former Prime Minister Tony Blair to drive up standards. Academies are publicly-funded independent schools with the scope to adopt innovative approaches which will improve the experience for their pupils. But, with greater freedom comes greater responsibility, and areas of complexity still remain in the running of these schools that require excellent governance skills. This book provides all those involved in running academy schools with the necessary guidance to ensure that their schools are run compliantly and effectively.”
The book provides simple, step-by-step guidance for anyone faced with the practicalities of running an academy and meeting the requirements of company and charity law as well as those of the Department for Education. The book contains numerous examples of good practice from a range of academies and multi-academies covering topics including governance structures, directors and members, financial management, risk management and decision making.
The book is an indispensable reference for:
- school business managers at academies
- clerks to the board
- directors of academies
- governors of schools considering academy status
- anyone tasked with fulfilling the company secretarial function for an academy.
ICSA Chief Executive Simon Osborne comments: “Good governance is the best way to ensure sustainability and success, and I am delighted that ICSA and Katie have led the way in producing such a
useful governance tool. Checklists and clear step-by-step guides to the requirements will make this book an essential resource in every school operating as, or considering converting to, an Academy Trust.”
Duncan Haworth, Chair of the National Governors’ Association, commenting in the foreword to the book agrees: “The NGA sees this publication as an essential guide to the legal and regulatory compliance to fulfil the company secretary role in an Academy.”
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For further information, please contact Maria Brookes, Media Relations Manager:
mbrookes@icsa.org.uk +44 (0)20 7612 7062 +44 (0)7890 649 143
Notes to Editors:
1. ICSA (Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators) is the chartered membership and qualifying body for professionals working in governance, risk and compliance, including company
secretaries. Our members work in all sectors and at every level of seniority. With over 120 years of experience, we champion high governance standards by providing qualifications, training, highquality guidance and support (including technical resources, publications and software), and through our work with regulators and policy makers. Website: www.icsa.org.uk
2. Katie Paxton-Doggett FCIS is a qualified solicitor and chartered secretary. She works with schools and is appointed as company secretary and adviser to a number of single academies and multiacademies. Her work embraces a range of issues relating to corporate governance and the role of the board of directors as well as providing specific company secretarial guidance and support. Katie has substantial experience of the issues involved in converting to academy status and the challenges of running an academy. Katie regularly writes features for trade press and other national and local publications. Commissions include work for Governance + Compliance magazine, Law Society Gazette and School Leadership Today.
Copies of the book can be ordered online. Alternatively, email puborders@icsa.org.uk or call +44(0)20 7612 7020.
