Schools minister bows to pressure on exemption for academy schools

Governance | Gareth Jones | 3 Feb 2010

Academy schools will not now become exempt charities after the government took heed of lobbying from the Charity Commission.

Under proposals in the Children, Schools and Families Bill, the 200 existing academies and any new registrants would have become exempt in order to ease the registration process.

But now minister for schools Vernon Coaker (pictured) has written to the public bill committee for the legislation to ask for the removal of clause 42, which the Commission had warned would damage public trust in academies and the charity sector as a whole.

Coaker wrote: “Following discussions with the Commission, its chief executive has confirmed that it will take a number of steps to simplify the registration process for academies, including a review of ways they can be supported through the registration process.

“I am now satisfied that the government can meet its objectives without the need for clause 42.”

In a statement, the Commission emphasised that since October it has had in place a joint protocol with the Department for Children, Schools and Families for academies applying to register, specifically designed to minimise bureaucracy.

It added: “Today’s decision gives clarity and certainty for those academies which are currently registered charities and for those who will be establishing academies in the future.

“By keeping academies within the mainstream charity framework it avoids any confusion about their status, accountability, transparency or independence.”

Directory: Charity Commission

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