Academy (English school)

An academy school in England is a state-funded school which is directly funded by the Department for Education and independent of local authority control. The terms of the arrangements are set out in individual Academy Funding Agreements.^[1] 80% of secondary schools, 40% of primary schools and 44% of special schools are academies (as of October 2023).^[2]

Academies are self-governing non-profit charitable trusts and may receive additional support from personal or corporate sponsors, either financially or in kind.^[3] Academies are inspected and follow the same rules on admissions, special educational needs and exclusions as other state schools and students sit the same national exams. They have more autonomy with the National Curriculum,^[4] but must ensure their curriculum is broad and balanced,^[5] and that it includes the core subjects of English, maths and science. They must also teach relationships and sex education, and religious education.^[6] They are free to choose their specialisms.