New Academies, New Responsibilities – The Support Converting Schools Need, And How They Can Find It
With the government remaining committed to seeing all schools eventually become academies, the managing director of a facilities management runs through the often overlooked considerations that such conversions entail…
The debate over schools becoming academies has so far focused on the obvious differences in the way that maintained schools and academies are funded and managed – but not all of the details have been considered.
Consider, for example, how a small maintained school contemplating academy conversion will first need to first consider whether they would want to be part of a multi-academy trust (MAT) with other schools, or whether they’re intending to stand alone. Generally speaking, state-run schools will receive support from a local council with which they have worked for a number of years – a council which will have built up a good understanding of how the school is run, and what is required to oversee its premises.
If the school does become an academy, they can still buy back into the support services provided by its local council – but will this be the best option for them?
Essential advice
Those schools that become academies are going to have to think carefully about how they manage the buildings they occupy. Everything from water temperature and hygiene, to fire risk assessments, asbestos detection and emergency lighting will need to be taken into account. The head teacher will suddenly find themselves having to find professional suppliers that can complete those tasks, and ensure that those suppliers hold the correct certifications and are able to meet the standards required.
It is therefore absolutely essential that they receive appropriate advice, and that where possible, people are trained to manage the process internally in order to save costs. Gas safety inspections and water temperature monitoring are just two of the basic servicing requirements that will need to be checked on a regular basis.
Whether a school becomes an independent academy or part of a MAT, they will need to evidence that they have discharged the responsibility of managing their properties in full accordance with the law. Training and monitoring is just the start – all of the accompanying paperwork and reports will need to be completed, collated, checked for compliance and filed, ready for possible inspections.
Budget considerations
The complexities involved with maintaining older school buildings will mean that extra care needs to be taken. Not only is it necessary to carry out regular maintenance of the property and surrounding landscape, but also more specialist tasks associated to electricity and gas. Even with newer sites, there may be additional complications if complex IT and communication systems have been installed.
A further consideration is that of budgets. From our work with academies we know that cost savings are always a priority, which why it’s so important for headteachers and SLTs to receive appropriate advice from facilities management professionals. Converted schools that decide to join a MAT must ensure that the Trust it selects is one based on values that they share, and that the Trust can provide the day-to-day support that the school needs.
We have previously worked with a number of excellent Trusts focused on providing a level-headed approach to those academies which they support. We’ve therefore seen for ourselves first-hand how the conversion process can and does have a positive impact.
Only time will tell whether the ongoing shift from a system of maintained schools to one made up of academies will be a positive move in the long term – but at this stage, there is little doubt that the infrastructure support new academies need to have in place is an issue that still has to be addressed.
Conversion Checklist
Some tips from Wheatley FM for schools ready to make the change 1. Seek advice and guidance from a professional facilities outfit. A good service provider should be able to put together a straightforward list of everything you’ll need to cover and what you are liable for, without costing the earth.
2. Use that audit as an opportunity to review what facilities the school has now and what you would like it to have in future. Organise these into an action plan, with goals and dates against each of the items, and stick to your guns –while bearing in mind that your goals need to be achievable
3. Find a company that you can rely on to provide quote for everything, so that you can avoid the need to negotiate and work with a long list of suppliers. Building up long lasting relationships with suppliers is key to ensuring the smooth running and maintenance of your buildings in the long-term, and the help and support they can offer you will be invaluable.
4. Ask questions, no matter how trivial they may seem. Always see to it that you understand what is being discussed, and challenge any technical jargon. It is vitally important that you can make decisions based on facts, and that you are in a position to understand exactly what your school will be getting for its money.
Andrew Wheatley is the managing director of Wheatley FM; for more information, visit www.wheatleyfm.com or follow @WheatleyFM
