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<p>When community schools convert to academies, the freehold is retained by the local
authority and a lease is granted to the academy trust.</p><p>There are strict rules
protecting publicly-funded land used by academies, regardless of who holds the freehold.
This is set out in published guidance, which is available at:</p><p><a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protection-of-school-playing-fields-and-public-land-advice"
target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/protection-of-school-playing-fields-and-public-land-advice</a></p><p>A
copy of the guidance has been placed in the House Library.</p><p>The Department for
Education does not hold information about the average value of land used for academies,
or about the legal costs associated with establishing leasehold or freehold arrangements.</p><p>Academies
are run by academy trusts, which are charities limited by guarantee – academies are
not operated by private companies.</p>
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