What we do, and what you receive.
Three clearly-scoped engagements. Each ends with a folder you can hand to an inspector, a regulator, or your own board — and a path forward you can act on.
Academy setup & registration
From idea to opening day — the entity, the accreditation route, the premises sign-off, and the paperwork that makes day one possible.
- Company / charitable structure incorporated and registered
- Naming check, trademark sweep, domain and brand alignment
- Accreditation route mapped (Ofqual, awarding body, ESFA, regulator-of-record)
- Premises gap analysis, landlord pack, planning use class sign-off
- Safeguarding, GDPR, health & safety, equality, complaints — full policy suite
- Governance handbook, board terms of reference, conflicts register
- Launch checklist with owners, dates and dependencies
Compliance & Ofsted readiness
For academies already operating, or about to be inspected. A precise read of where you stand, and a written plan to close every gap.
- Gap analysis against the current Education Inspection Framework
- Single Central Record audit and remediation
- Safeguarding policy, training log and case-handling review
- Curriculum intent / implementation / impact documentation review
- Mock inspection — leadership and teaching observation, learner voice
- Written action plan with priority, owner and target date for each finding
- Optional 30-day follow-up to verify close-out
Assistance with legal obstacles
A focused consultation for established academies facing issues that threaten continued operation — regulator queries, accreditation challenges, safeguarding incidents, contractual disputes or change-of-control questions. We help you see the issue clearly and plan the response.
- Confidential intake call and document review of the issue in question
- Written situation note: what is at stake, what the regulator or counterparty is likely to do next
- Options analysis with risks, costs and likely outcomes for each route
- Recommended response plan with sequencing, owners and immediate next steps
- Liaison brief for your solicitor where independent legal advice is required
- Follow-up call to pressure-test the plan once you have decided your route
Note · Academy Open Solutions provides consultancy, not legal representation. We are not solicitors and do not offer reserved legal services. Where formal legal advice or representation is needed, we work alongside your appointed solicitor.
Related services we deliver alongside the main two.
Governance & board setup
Board recruitment, terms of reference, scheme of delegation, first-year agenda.
Staffing & DSL recruitment
Job descriptions, safer recruitment, DSL appointment, induction packs.
Funding & operations signposting
ESFA, apprenticeship levy, AEB, charitable grants — routes mapped, applications drafted.
Tell us where the door needs to open.
A 30-minute call, a written scope, and a fixed price before any work starts.
Start the conversation