Academy vs Maintained

What’s the Difference Between an Academy and a Maintained School in MK?

If you’re looking at secondary schools in Milton Keynes, you might notice something surprising: almost all of them are Academies. In fact, a significant portion of MK’s primary schools have also converted to academy status in recent years.

But what does “Academy” actually mean for your child’s day-to-day education, and how does it differ from a traditional “Maintained” school?

Maintained Schools (The Traditional Route)

Maintained schools are funded and controlled by Milton Keynes City Council.

• The Curriculum: They must strictly follow the National Curriculum.
• Staffing: Teachers are employed by the local authority and must adhere to national pay scales.
• Term Dates: They strictly follow the standard term dates set by MK City Council.

In MK, you’ll still find many maintained primary schools, particularly in older grid squares and historic villages, but they are becoming increasingly rare at the secondary level.

Academies (The Independent State Schools)

Academies are state-funded schools, but they receive their money directly from the Department for Education (DfE), bypassing the local council entirely. They are run by academy trusts or charitable bodies. Many in Milton Keynes are part of Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), such as the Milton Keynes Education Trust (MKET) or the 5 Dimensions Trust.

What makes them different?

• Curriculum Freedom: Academies do not have to follow the National Curriculum. While most still teach core subjects (English, Maths, Science) to prepare for GCSEs, they have the freedom to innovate, offer specialized subjects, or change how they teach.
• Term Dates & Hours: Academies have the power to alter the length of the school day or change term dates. (Always double-check an academy’s calendar—it might differ slightly from the MK City Council standard calendar!)
• Funding: Because they control their own budgets, trusts can often pool resources across several schools to hire specialist staff or upgrade facilities.

Free Schools

You may also hear the term “Free School.” A Free School is simply a brand new academy that has been built from scratch to meet local demand, rather than an existing school that converted. Given MK’s rapid expansion, several new Free Schools have opened in recent years to serve new estates.

Does it matter for admissions?

For the most part, no. Even though Academies and Free Schools are their own “admissions authorities,” the vast majority in Milton Keynes still use the centralized MK City Council admissions portal for Year 7 and Reception intakes. You will still apply through the council website just like you would for a maintained school.

However, Academies are allowed to set their own admissions criteria. While most stick to standard catchment/distance rules, some might prioritize children of staff members or have specific feeder school arrangements. Always read the school’s specific admissions policy carefully!