Academies are publicly funded independent schools that are not
managed by a local authority. They can set pay and conditions
for their staff and also change the length of their terms.
Academies don’t have to follow the national curriculum.
Maintained primary and secondary schools, special schools,
alternative provision schools and 16 to 19 providers can all
apply to become an academy. A school can convert on its own if
it is performing well, with the support of a sponsor, or as part
of a group of schools (an academy chain).  Schools can’t acquire
or remove their faith character, expand, become mixed or single
sex, or introduce selection as part of the conversion process.
Once converted, academies are run by an academy trust, which is
a charitable company limited by guarantee.  Conversion usually
takes around 5 months, but the process could move more quickly,
or take longer depending on your school’s circumstances. Schools
convert on the first day of the month.