A NUMBER of schools are considering becoming academies in an attempt to improve – with the promise of more money.

The Church of England is setting up a trust to support schools converting to sponsored academy status.

The aim of the Multi-Academy Trust in the diocese of Bath & Wells, which includes the Taunton and Wellington area, is “to secure rapid and sustained improvement of every academy it sponsors”.

Responsibility for CofE schools is currently shared by the diocese and Somerset County Council, but of those deciding to become academies the MAT will be in charge of their overall governance and performance, as well as the educational outcome of each child.

Diocesan director of education Theresa Gale said: “We’re delighted to be in a position to sponsor and support schools converting to an academy.

“The diocese, via the MAT, aims to improve the performance of staff and pupils while retaining the Christian values of CofE schools, which are so important to parents and children.

“Becoming part of the MAT family in Bath and Wells will be a positive step forward for schools converting to a sponsored academy.”

The MAT will oversee the distribution of state funds to newly established academies. The funding for an academy will be the same per pupil as for other schools with the addition of money previously retained by the Local Education Authority for administration and other centrally provided services.

A diocesan spokeswoman said: “The MAT’s currently working with a number of schools in the diocese to explore whether academy status is right for them.

“Announcements will be made as and when decisions regarding individual schools are made." 

Huish Episcopi and the Taunton Academy were among the first Somerset schools to convert.