Academy and free school funding agreements
Model funding agreements for schools or groups establishing a new multi-academy trust and single or multi-academy trusts establishing new academies and free schools.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
The funding agreement provides the framework for your academy or free school to operate in.
If you are forming a multi-academy trust, use the master funding agreement for the trust as a whole. Each of the schools within the trust will then use the appropriate supplemental funding agreement.
Use the model supplemental funding agreement if you are a:
- school in the process of becoming an academy with a multi-academy trust
- group opening a free school with a multi-academy trust
Use the model single funding agreement if you are a:
- school in the process of becoming an academy with a single academy trust
- group opening a free school with a single academy trust
You will need to complete a memorandum and articles of association alongside your funding agreement.
Sixth-form colleges should read the guide on converting to an academy for sixth-form colleges, then speak to their regional director and EFSA case manager.
More guidance on converting to an academy and opening a free school is available. Grammar schools wanting to convert to an academy should use the model ballot documents.
Established academy trusts that are considering updating their existing funding agreement to the latest model should contact us using the ESFA online enquiry form.