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1.
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General Kunskapsskolan and Academy Questions
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Q:
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What is Kunskapsskolan?
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A:
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Kunskapsskolan, which translates to “Knowledge School”, is Sweden’s largest secondary education provider. Since it was established in 1999, Kunskapsskolan has grown rapidly and today it operates 30 secondary schools in Sweden, educating over 9,000 students from the age of 12 to 18 years old. Kunskapsskolan schools are privately managed, non-selective and non-fee paying schools, with funding for Swedish schools provided by the Swedish government.
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The Kunskapsskolan model works. In Sweden, students in Kunskapsskolan schools get better than average results.
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Kunskapsskolan is currently the proposed sponsor for two new Academies in Richmond – Hampton Community College and Whitton School.
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Q:
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What is different about Kunskapsskolan schools?
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The Kunskapsskolan model is based on personalised learning. Rather than a “one size fits all” approach, every student follows a long-term learning and attainment plan agreed between the student and the student’s Personal Tutor and parents. The learning plan is designed to ensure that every student achieves the very best results that he or she is capable of. Additionally, although focused on a modern, student-centred approach to teaching, Kunskapsskolan will follow the national curriculum, participate in national tests and conform to the national assessment system.
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At Kunskapsskolan, students are offered the unique opportunity to work at their own pace, using their own learning style to achieve the goals set out in the national curriculum. Parents are actively engaged in their children’s education, participating in setting goals and able to monitor progress through online reporting systems.
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Q:
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When did Kunskapsskolan come to England?
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Kunskapsskolan opened its UK office in October 2007, following several years of interest from British education specialists, schools and politicians. The development of the Academies’ program in the UK provides an exciting opportunity to expand the Kunskapsskolan model internationally.
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Kunskapsskolan was named one of two preferred partners selected by the Council of London Borough of Richmond-Upon-Thames to sponsor the development of two Academies at Hampton and Whitton.
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Q:
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What is an academy?
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Academies are independent schools that operate within the state system. They are funded directly by the Government and are not permitted to charge fees or select their students. Academies are being encouraged to bring new educational approaches to raise achievement. They also receive large investments from Government to improve buildings and other facilities at the school.
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For more information on Academies, you can visit:
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the DCSF website
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the Richmond Council website
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Richmond Council’s recent brochure on the Academies Programme
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2.
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Kunskapsskolan in Richmond
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Q:
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What do you expect to achieve in Richmond?
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Kunskapsskolan seeks to establish high performing Academies at Hampton and Whitton, which will become the first choice secondary schools for local students and their parents.
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We are not planning to impose a Swedish education system on schools in Richmond. The staff at Hampton Community College and Whitton School have made good progress improving the schools over recent years. Our intention is to work with them to develop a new approach that builds on the good work that they have already done combined with the personalised approaches that we have proven to work in Sweden. It will be the best of both worlds.
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3.
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Curriculum
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Will Kunskapsskolan follow the English National Curriculum and prepare students for all the relevant exams?
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Kunskapsskolan will meet all the standards set by the Government, in terms of the English National Curriculum and examinations. We are confident that our approach will prove a successful vehicle for helping students meet high standards of education.
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Your curriculum has been described as “thematic”. What does that mean?
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Knowledge does not always conveniently fit into subjects. For example, are issues about Global Warming part of Science or Geography or should they be part of teaching citizenship? A thematic curriculum encourages young people to think in a joined up way and is commonly used in primary schools.
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The curriculum will become increasingly subject oriented as students approach GCSE to ensure that they are fully prepared for external examinations. Some subjects (e.g. English, mathematics, and languages) are taught as separate subjects at all ages.
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There is nothing about sport in the consultation document sent to Richmond parents. Why is that?
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We have not described all of the curriculum in the document but the Academies will offer the full national curriculum including competitive sports. Whitton School will be continuing as a specialist Sports College.
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Do students at Kunskapsskolan have a timetable?
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Yes, there is an overall timetable for the school and each student has an individual timetable that meets his or her needs and leads to the educational goals agreed upon by the student and the student’s parents and Personal Tutor. This is agreed each week and written in a log book so that parents know what their child is doing.
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4.
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Qualifications, Testing and Goals
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What diplomas and qualifications will Kunskapsskolan offer?
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Kunskapsskolan will offer GCSEs in most subjects, BTECs in a few select subjects, and Diplomas. Results for Kunskapsskolan Academies in the UK will be measured in line with other local schools.
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How will Kunskapsskolan keep students from setting soft goals for themselves and prevent under-achievement?
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It is a teacher’s job to ensure that students do not set soft goals. Additionally KS encourages students to stretch their individual boundaries. In Sweden there is no measure of student potential, but teachers at Kunskapsskolan in the UK will have the advantage of the Fischer Family Trust (FFT) to guide them in setting ambitious goals for students according to ability.
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5.
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Discipline
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What is Kunskapsskolan’s approach to discipline?
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Although student centred, our approach is a rigorous one based on earned autonomy and close supervision. In terms of day-to-day discipline, the Kunskapsskolan’s approach provides for “earned autonomy”. Those who handle responsibility for their schooling, gain greater freedom. Those who don’t are more closely managed. This is a great incentive.
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This does not always come naturally and students need to be taught how to develop appropriate skills and attitudes. We believe that without these basics, students will not achieve in any type of school. The difference in our schools is that these are placed at the centre of what we do.
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What is Kunskapsskolan's approach to bullying?
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The tutor system as well as the design of our buildings helps to manage bullying. There is nowhere to hide and we can move students into other groups when there are issues.
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6.
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Learning Difficulties/Special Education Needs
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How do students with learning difficulties such as dyslexia and other special education needs fit in at Kunskapsskolan schools?
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Kunskapsskolan feels that every child has special, individual needs – that is the basis of the Kunskapsskolan model. All Kunskapsskolan students have curriculum and learning tools tailored to individual needs, including issues such as dyslexia. In fact, the personalised learning approach leads to much earlier detection of learning difficulties, especially for those students who are achieving without any help, but underachieving for their ability.
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Sweden operates a totally inclusive approach to Special Education Needs provision and Kunskapsskolan’s approach is particularly well suited to supporting SEN.
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7.
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The Kunskapsskolan Method
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How does Kunskapsskolan’s focus on working in groups rather than traditional classrooms accommodate the shyer, less confident student?
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Kunskapsskolan’s focus on individual strategies allows every student to work in the method best suited to each individual student. For some students this is working independently, for others this means working in small groups or classroom settings.
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The KS programme includes lectures with large numbers of students. What happens if a student doesn’t understand a lecture. How will s/he be supported?
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The programme usually only features 2-3 large lectures a week. Our personalised teaching model provides for students to get individual tuition through small groups and workshops as well as individual time with teachers.
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Does the Kunskapsskolan method of learning by ability mean that a Year 7 student will be working on the same step as Year 9s? This is a big difference in maturity and development. How do you manage those students who don’t want to be there?
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Students from different years may be on the same step, but this doesn’t mean they will be taught together. Each student and group will have their own strategies. They may be together for only part of their work.
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In terms of making sure students want to be in school, our personalised learning approach enables us to work with each student to make the best of their time in school. Every one has a unique plan. Those who are disruptive will get special help to deal with their issues, whether it’s a Behaviour Management specialist or other support.
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How do you achieve results from less motivated students?
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Our approach requires regular follow-up on agreed goals. The log books each student has are reviewed weekly and each student is questioned about the next steps they plan to follow. If this follow through doesn’t happen, students will be more tightly managed. The tutor will work with students to identify the best strategies to achieve their goals.
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8.
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Teachers
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How will Kunskapsskolan work with teachers at the new Academies?
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We look forward to working with outstanding teachers who will be enthused by the Kunskapsskolan approach to personalised learning. Kunskapsskolan’s teachers spend much of their time as learning mentors, helping individual students to become effective learners and meet their goals. Teaching materials are developed collaboratively among schools and distributed through our web portal. This reduces time spent on lesson preparation, allowing teachers to concentrate on working with students.
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Given the English system of specialist subject teachers, how will the Personal Tutors at Kunskapsskolan deliver all subjects? What kind of support for the new approach will Kunskapsskolan provide?
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In some ways Kunskapsskolan operates similarly to primary schools where one teacher gets to know a student across all subject areas. However, the Personal Tutor’s role is to be an expert at motivating and encouraging students to learn. Our Teachers also teach in their specialist subjects.
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Kunskapsskolan will provide teachers with training. There is a special manual and there will be teacher exchange programmes with Sweden to share good practice. Kunskapsskolan is also exploring a partnership with St Mary’s University College to offer accreditation for their professional development.
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Will all existing teachers be offered positions with the new academy, including the Headteacher?
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The teaching staff and headteacher are protected by the TUPE employment protection legislation.
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How many teachers do you need to sustain the personalised teaching model? My experience says you will need a lot more teachers than the school has now. One-to-one learning is resource heavy
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Kunskapsskolan doesn’t have more teachers than other schools. Our teacher to student ratio is 1:18. Our approach means that teachers released from class room time to work with students individually and in smaller groups. We use the time table differently, more flexibly.
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9.
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Cost and Admissions
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How much will it cost me to send my child to Kunskapsskolan?
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Kunskapsskolan’s planned Academies in the UK and all of its schools in Sweden are non-fee paying. It will not cost anything to attend.
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Will Kunskapsskolan be selecting students?
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Admissions arrangements for Kunskapsskolan Academies will be the same as they are for the schools currently in place. Kunskapsskolan will not be selecting students. We are committed to the education of local students on a comprehensive basis.
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10.
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Attendance and School Schedule
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Can students at Kunskapsskolan turn up whenever they like?
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It is normal for Swedish students from all sorts of schools to be allowed to work at home from time to time. This is not the tradition in England. Students in our English schools will be required to attend school all day. Our schools will open before the formal day starts and stay open late to allow students to spend more time on their studies if they need to.
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Will Kunskapsskolan schools take attendance?
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Kunskapsskolan will take attendance at start and end of each day. KUNSKAPSSKOLAN uses an “earned autonomy model” that gives freedom to students who utilise their time effectively. Students who are less proficient at time management will be in more structured classes. We have found that it is usually the younger students who need more attention.
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Will Kunskapsskolan have extended hours to accommodate your model?
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Kunskapsskolan schools open early and closes late to allow students to work when they need. However, we will have a standard compulsory school day.
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11.
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Uniforms
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Will there be a uniform at Kunskapsskolan?
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Yes, unlike Sweden where few schools have a uniform, our English schools will have a uniform. We plan to work with students to design something modern that helps to create a sense of pride in the school.
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12.
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Transition
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How will the new approach to teaching and learning be introduced to students, teachers, and parents?
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There will be a well thought out transition plan, rather than a “Big Bang”. The new approaches will be introduced over time in a programme that will be designed in each school with the help of the current staff and building on the improvements they are already making. The primary concern will be the education of students at the school, with the minimum amount of disruption possible.
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To help with the transition, Kunskapsskolan plans specialist courses such as “learning to learn”, ESL and ICT to equip students and their parents for the Kunskapsskolan approach. Kunskapsskolan plans sessions with parents from the local primary schools.
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What will Kunskapsskolan do to protect those children (such as Year 5) who will be most affected by the transition and building works?
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Our first and foremost priority is the students. Our transition planning will start during the detailed feasibility work on the building program as soon as we have been approved as a sponsor.
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During the implementation stage, who will be taking the work forward?
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As in Sweden, Kunskapsskolan in the UK will have a Head Office where the senior management are based and the administrative areas which can be shared by all the schools, such as Finance and HR. There are the schools themselves with their own management structures, under the head teacher, to operate the schools and we have a curriculum development team led by experienced teachers and educational specialists who plan and deliver the content for our programme.
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Does your model require a minimum number of schools to be viable?
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Kunskapsskolan has said that it would like to have five schools in England.
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13.
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Academy Timeline
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What is the timetable for the finished Academies in Richmond?
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Should we become academy sponsors in Richmond, our plans give 2013 as the completion date for the new buildings. This is due to the way DCSF funding for the building programme is scheduled. Space for Hampton Community College and Whitton School will be a challenge and once we move into feasibility stage, the technical work on building the schools will be our first priority.
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How can I find out more about your plans?
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We will work closely with Richmond Council and with Hampton College and Whitton School to keep the local community in Richmond informed of developments with the two proposed Academies. Please continue to look at our website, www.kunskapsskolan.co.uk, for more information.
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14.
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Governance
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What type of voice will parents and local community have in the GB?
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Kunskapsskolan will have a board of governors that includes parents, the local authority and others.
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15.
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Other Questions
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Will Kunskapsskolan encourage community use of the school property?
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Yes. We want parents and community members to use our schools. Both of the proposed academies will continue to have joint use sports facilities.
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Will Kunskapsskolan in the UK link with foreign schools?
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Kunskapsskolan will build links between its English and Swedish schools. As Kunskapsskolan expands internationally, other links can be established. Hampton Community College and Whitton School already have good record in developing links with international schools in Europe and Africa and we look forward to building on this.
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What happens if the Government reneges on the Academies deal?
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All three main parties declared their support for Academies at the CentreForum launch in July 2008. If Kunskapsskolan is approved as an academy sponsor, we will enter a Funding Agreement, which is a legal contract, with DCSF.
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