The Academies programme was introduced in March 2000, and the first Academy projects were announced in September the same year, with a target of 200 Academies open or in the pipeline by 2010. Academies in local authorities that have yet to be prioritised for inclusion in BSF, or where the Local Education Partnership (LEP) will not be established in time to meet the Academy delivery targets, will be delivered using the National Framework.

HCD  has provided services on 15 Academy schemes to date.  Framework contractors have come to realize that involving HCD’s education team at an early stage in the design process ensures the scheme will benefit from a sensible approach and interpretation fo the BB100 design guidance for fire safety in schools, and the recently introduced BS9999 (fire safety design in the design and management and use of buildings).