May 2011

The know zone

  • Held to account?
    Changes in the way schools are organised raise complex questions about who is ultimately at the top of the chain of command, says Richard Bird. More
  • Let's talk about socks...
    The demise of bureaucracy-laden FMSiS is welcome but it leaves a big gap and was done too abruptly. Will its replacement be any better? Sam Ellis is doubtful. More
  • Lead vocals
    Quotes from Gene Mauch, Tom Peters, George Eliot, Eleanor Roosevelt, Francesca Reigler and Mark Twain More
  • Good as gold
    The gold medal winner in the SecEd Headteachers’ PA of the Year awards, Pamela Zborowski works at Tarporley High School and Sixth Form College in Cheshire. Her previous posts include Manchester United’s merchandising operation and working as a nanny, secretary and cook for a well-known political figure. More
  • Perfect fit
    Charity SGOSS tracks down people with management skills for governor posts in schools and colleges. More
  • Adding value
    One of the many jobs to be done when converting to academy status is to notify your suppliers of the new you, but it appears a simple letter to your energy supplier is not enough. More
  • Cries to review review
    The Wolf Review has recommended limiting vocational learning for under-16s to no more than 20 per cent of a pupil’s timetable. Is it the best way forward and does it send the right message about education and skills in the 21st century? And where does it leave personalised learning? School and college leaders share their thoughts. More
  • Crash test dummies?
    In this excerpt from his first address to ASCL Annual Conference as general secretary, Brian Lightman reviews the performance of the coalition government to date and considers the criticism that it has “thrown the education system into reverse”. More
  • Token rewards
    When there are market forces at work in school and the wider community, you need to bring your inner-entrepreneur to the fore, says Carl Sugden. More
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Adding value

Power to the academy

One of the many jobs to be done when converting to academy status is to notify your suppliers of the new you, but it appears a simple letter to your energy supplier is not enough. As an academy you become a new legal entity with no trading history or credit score so it is important to help your supplier understand your new structure and operation.

It is our understanding that if a school is under a local authority contract this will be treated as a change of occupancy. However if the contract is currently in the individual school name they may have the choice to remain in the contract for the duration of the term or to re-contract under the new trading name, subject to the individual terms and conditions.

We at Zenergi are working with the energy suppliers and the DfE to provide clarification and ultimately amend the standard processes and procedures for academy converters. However as you can imagine this may take some time.

In the meantime, we have encouraged our schools to communicate with us as early as possible so that we can handle communications with the energy suppliers. Speaking to the right people at the right time has avoided many of the pitfalls.

If you would like some assistance or you would prefer Zenergi to take this issue off your desk, we would be happy to become your outsourced energy department. Please contact us on 0238 0286300 or visit www.zenergi.co.uk to find out more.

One of the benefits of ASCL membership is discounts and special rates on a range of personal and educational products and services. There are healthcare products, online staff well-being systems, fi nancial advice and self-evaluation surveys. Check out the full list at www.ascl.org.uk

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