There are 47 academies now open. We do not classify sponsors according to whether they are religious groups, educational groups, companies and individuals as these categories will frequently overlap. Some academies have more than one sponsor, usually from more than one of the categories included in the question.
The list of open academies and their sponsors are included in the following table.
Open academy name Sponsor(s) The Business Academy, Bexley Garrard Education Trust Greig City Academy, Haringey Greig Trust with the London Diocesan Board for Schools Unity City Academy, Middlesbrough Amey plc City Academy, Bristol John Laycock/University of the West of England Capital City, Brent Sir Frank Lowe City of London Academy, Southwark Corporation of London Djanogly City Academy, Nottingham Sir Harry Djanogly King’s Academy, Middlesbrough Emmanuel Schools Foundation Manchester Academy United Learning Trust (ULT) The Academy at Peckham, Southwark Harris Charitable Trust/Whitgift Foundation The Walsall City Academy The Mercers’ Company/Thomas Telford Online The West London Academy, Ealing Alec Reed Lambeth Academy ULT The London Academy, Barnet Peter Shalson Mossbourne Community Academy, Hackney Sir Clive Bourne Northampton Academy ULT Stockley Academy, Hillingdon Barry Townsley and others Dixons City Academy, Bradford Dixons CTC Trust Harefield Academy, Hillingdon David Meller and others Marlowe Academy, Kent Roger de Haan/Kent County Council The Academy of St. Francis of Assisi, Liverpool Diocese of Liverpool/RC Archdiocese of Liverpool St. Paul’s Academy, Greenwich Archdiocese of Southwark Trinity Academy, Doncaster Emmanuel Schools Foundation North Liverpool Academy Liverpool University/Granada Learning Harris Academy Merton Harris Charitable Trust Grace Academy, Solihull Bob Edmiston Walthamstow Academy, Waltham Forest ULT Paddington Academy ULT David Young Community Academy, Leeds Diocese of Ripon and Leeds Harris Girls Academy East Dulwich Harris Charitable Trust The Harris Bermondsey Academy Harris Charitable Trust Sheffield Springs ULT Sheffield Park ULT Landau Forte College, Derby Landau Forte Academy Trust Westminster Academy Exilarch’s Foundation The Petchey Academy, Hackney Jack Petchey Foundation The Burlington Danes Academy, Hammersmith and Fulham ARK Barnsley Academy ULT The John Madejski Academy, Reading John Madejski Sandwell Academy Mercers Company, Thomas Telford Online, HSBC, West Bromwich Albion Football Club, Tarmac Group Haberdashers’ Knights Academy Haberdashers’ Livery Company Haberdashers’ Aske’s Hatcham Academy Haberdashers’ Livery Salford City Academy ULT Gateway Academy, Thurrock Ormiston Trust Macmillan Academy, Middlesbrough Macmillan CTC St. Mark’s Academy, Merton Diocese of Southwark Trust/CfBT Educational Trust/Toc H Madeley Academy, Telford and Wrekin Thomas Telford On-line
Funding Agreements for academies do not place any restrictions on promotional activities by sponsors. However, the use of data held by academies on individual pupils is restricted by the Data Protection Act.
Sponsors come from a wide range of backgrounds, including universities, educational foundations, businesses, individuals and faith communities. There is no set requirement of prior educational experience, nor a requirement for specific advisory staff. The suitability of sponsors and their ability to make a significant contribution to the academies programme is assessed during the process of brokering a project before an expression of interest is agreed by the Secretary of State.
The Department carries out rigorous checks to establish the suitability of individuals and organisations wishing to become sponsors of academies. These include checking their financial viability to supply the funds pledged as well as their general suitability.
Potential sponsors should be able to demonstrate:
Transparency of business arrangements (both in the EU and overseas) and ability to account for funds (including donations from other parties);
Evidence of a successful business background including evidence of consistent and sustained trading (where appropriate);
A long-term commitment to the UK education sector and the aims of the academies programme;
Potential to run a successful school and to contribute towards raising standards;
Ability to enhance the reputation of the academies programme;
Ability to promote community cohesion;
Financial status commensurate with academy sponsorship and/or evidence of ability to raise the necessary funds.