Academies
An academy is automatically a Scheme employer upon conversion.
LGPS Regulation 2013 Definition
A proprietor of an academy within the meaning of section 579 (general interpretation) of the Education Act 1996 who has entered into academy arrangement within the meaning of section 1 (academy arrangements) of the Academies Act 2010.
The Fund needs the following information to process a school conversion to an academy:
- Copy of the Secretary of State for Education - Academy Order
- Copy of Memorandum and Articles of Association: A draft version of this document is acceptable if the final document is not available.
- Data file of members
For transfer of members, please see the attached 'Bulk transfer within the Fund file layout': 
Bulk data transfer (Feb 2016) [218kb]
Please also complete the questionnaire attached here Academy Questionnaire [23kb]. Submit your completed questionnaire to wmpfemployerliaison2@wolverhampton.gov.uk
A Memorandum of Understanding has been produced by the local government association setting out the relationship with LGPS Employers. For further information relating to the Fund's management of data in line with GDPR and DPA 2019, please visit www.wmpfonline.com/dataprotection.
ACADEMY POOLING NOTE
As part of the 2019 Actuarial Valuation and Funding Strategy Statement (FSS) consultation (which closed on 14th February 2020), in accordance with the governance structure of Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) and following feedback received from various MATs, the West Midlands Pension Fund have introduced mandatory pooling of the primary employer contribution rate (also known as a future service rate) across academies that form part of a MAT with effect from 1st April 2020.
The 2019 Actuarial Valuation provisional results have been calculated by the Fund actuary using the 'pooled' academy rates (see below):
Academy Pooling has resulted in in one single primary contribution rate (expressed as a percentage of pensionable payroll) being payable by each academy within the relevant MAT pool. The secondary rate (also known as past-service deficit), if applicable, would be calculated on an individual academy basis and would not be 'pooled' within the Trust. However, it is the preference of the Fund for all individual academy secondary rates to be aggregated for one payment where possible.
The main aims of the pooling arrangement are to:
• Achieve consistency in primary contributions rates between individual academies that form part of a Trust;
• Smooth out volatility in setting primary employer contribution rates between Triennial Valuations to ensure that contributions remain stable (including any new academies joining the Trust).
• Provide greater certainty in terms of budget setting for MATs.
• Narrow the range of primary contribution rates for academies across MATs.
