Looking at what academy status means for the curriculum, four principals of established primary and secondary academies share their views in this school management resource.
Being independent of local authorities, academies are free to restructure the school year and set their own curriculum, as long as it is "broad and balanced".
Areas covered include "the advantages of being free to choose the curriculum that best suits the children", the "benefits of operating a longer school day" and why none of the academies featured have as yet chosen to restructure their academic year.
The four principals featured are Sir Michael Wilshaw from Mossbourne Academy, Venessa Willms from King Solomon Academy Primary, Steve Kenning from Harris City Academy and Sally Coates from Burlington Danes Academy.
