Decision details

Following receipt of the Academy Order issued by the Secretary of State, to obtain the necessary Cabinet authority to delegate the responsibility of facilitating the academy conversion process to Chief Officers on behalf of the Council.

Noted the receipt of the Academy Order dated 13 November 2024 for De Lucy Primary School (DLPS) (Appendix A of the report) from the Secretary of State for Education (SoS) following the application from the governing body of DLPS to convert the school to academy status. The Council has a statutory duty under law to facilitate the conversion process.

Delegated to the Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, the overall management and timing of the conversion process working with all relevant parties.

Delegated to the Director of Resources, in consultation with the Director of Children's Services and the Director of Legal and Democratic Services, the authority to complete the formal agreement for the transfer of staff under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations 2006 to PolyMAT (the Academy Sponsor) in line with the detailed terms to be negotiated and agreed within the Commercial Transfer Agreements (CTA) and agree any Deed(s) of novation between the relevant parities (if required) and/or any Community Use Agreement(s) (as required) as well as any other necessary agreement with relevant third parties as described in paragraphs 4.23 to 4.27 of the report.

Agreed for a part of the De Lucy Primary School site to be re-purposed for the delivery of a designated specialist provision (DSP) for children and young people diagnosed with Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD).

Delegated to the Director of Place & Growth in consultation with the Director of Children’s Services, the Director of Resources and the Director of Legal and Democratic Services, the authority to negotiate with the Academy Sponsor, PolyMAT and agree the detailed terms of the leases for the two parts of the school site at Cookhill Road, Abbey Wood, SE2 as follows:

·        A 125-year Academy Lease at peppercorn rent for part of the site as described in paragraphs 4.16 to 4.22 and identified in Appendix B (shaded blue on the site plan) of the report.

·        Any supplemental lease agreement(s) for the remaining part of the site required to fulfil paragraph 1.4 above for a DSP type facility for students with MLD as described in paragraphs 4.9 to 4.22 and identified in Appendix B (shaded green on the site plan) of the report.