Guidance

PFI schools converting to academies

Information relating to private finance initiative (PFI) academies and their arrangements with local authorities.

From:
Department for Education
Published
26 March 2013

This publication was withdrawn on

Read our guide for schools converting to academy status for up-to-date information on the academy conversion process.

Documents

Local authorities making payments to private finance initiative academies

PDF, 17.7 KB, 1 page

Letter to local authorities with private finance initiative academies

PDF, 579 KB, 2 pages

Instructions from DfE on academies and private finance initiative arrangements

MS Word Document, 140 KB

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Opinion of leading Queen's Council on academies and private finance initiative arrangements

PDF, 143 KB, 19 pages

Private finance initiative academy: conversion timeline

PDF, 59.6 KB, 1 page

Private finance initiative academy: finance information

PDF, 26.7 KB, 1 page

Details

Additional documentation is needed when a school is part of a private finance initiative (PFI) construction scheme and converts to an academy, to protect all parties’ interests.

A named project lead at the department will guide PFI schools, sponsors and local authorities through the process and be the first point of contact for any questions. We will discuss the documentation and financial implications of a PFI school becoming an academy.

The PFI timeline shows the process in more detail and can be used to help agree a realistic opening date. It takes at least 6 months for a PFI school to open as an academy because of this extra complexity and documentation, and schools with a particularly unusual project agreement or land arrangements are likely to take longer.

Model documents for schools converting to PFI academies are also available online.

Published 26 March 2013