Issue details

Purpose of Report: Since 2015 an increasing number of schools in the city have continued to explore academy status and are interested in forming or joining locally led multi-academy trusts. Various pieces of legislation between 2010 and 2016 have confirmed central government’s commitment to the academy programme. Whilst the timeline around a fully academised system has been abandoned it is still the intention that all schools should consider conversion to academy status. Under the Education and Adoption Act (2016) the Local Authority has a statutory duty to facilitate the academisation of schools causing concern. This paper will outline the developing strategic relationship between the City of York Council and academies and multi-academy trusts as more schools begin to convert to academy status. The paper will also inform the executive about the conversion process and its implications for the leasing of land and property to academy trusts. The paper will include a specific focus on the conversion process related to PFI schools and seek member’s approval to delegate the PFI academy conversion process to officers.

The Executive will be asked to:

·         approve the strategic direction outlined in the paper.

·         delegate to and indemnify the Chief Officer responsible for leading the PFI academy conversion process.

·         consider the options related to the former Clifton Without Primary School building to allow the completion of the land lease to facilitate the academisation of Canon Lee School as a sponsored academy in the Hope Learning Trust.

This report has been brought forward from the 16 March 2017 Executive meeting as  decisions on the Clifton Without building and the land lease for Canon Lee are required prior to the March meeting.

In view of the decisions now due to be taken this will be considered as a ‘Key Issue’ – decisions with significant effects on communities.