What Is An Academy?

Academies are state funded schools whose staff are not employees of the local authority. They can make their own decisions about teachers’ pay and conditions.

Bradford has 4 existing Academies: Appleton; Bradford Academy; Dixons Allerton and Dixons City Academy. Greenhead School is due to be replaced by University Academy Keighley in September 2010.

All of these schools have agreements with the teacher unions about pay and conditions and negotiation and consultation about any changes to them except Dixons City Academy. All except Dixons City Academy employ staff on the same terms and conditions as the Bradford Local Authority.

If members are aware of any proposal to replace their school with an Academy, it is important that they contact the Bradford NUT Office, because the implications for teachers, pupils and the wider community can be very significant.