Agenda item

(The Reverend Dr Martin Dudley)

14 June 2013

The proposed federation of City of London Academy (Southwark) and Redriff Primary Academy to form a Multi-Academy Trust

It is proposed that the Court approves the formation of a Multi-Academy Trust between the City of London Academy Southwark and Redriff Primary Academy. The schools are close to signing the final agreements and will submit them to the Secretary of State for Education. It requires the approval of the Court of Common Council to enter in to the arrangement and agree to extend the City of London’s academy sponsorship to Redriff Primary Academy. 

The potential educational benefits identified from such an arrangement include improving transition from primary to secondary education, raising standards in teaching and learning, and providing continuity of provision for vulnerable pupils and their families. The proposal to establish a Multi-Academy Trust is in line with government policy on education which promotes collaboration between schools as a means of securing improvements in educational standards. The proposal supports the City Corporation’s corporate objectives of enhancing services and outcomes for children and young people in the City and City fringes.

The Community and Children’s Services Committee has been monitoring the progress of discussions between the Academies and the Department for Education. To strengthen the case for federation a business case, risk register and arrangements for governance have been developed. The necessary consultations have taken place, including with the London Borough of Southwark who agree with the proposals. As the Committee responsible for the City Academy schools, the Community and Children’s Services Committee agreed to the development of the proposal in June 2013 and, following receipt of further information on the business case, due diligence checks, the governance arrangements and the financial implications, approved the agreement in principle.

We submit a printed and circulated report thereon recommending that the Court agree that the federation of the City of London Academy Southwark Ltd and Redriff Primary Academy is approved and that the City of London extends its academy school sponsorship to Redriff Primary Academy.

(The Reverend Dr Martin Dudley)

14 June 2013

The proposed federation of City of London Academy (Southwark) and Redriff Primary Academy to form a Multi-Academy Trust

It is proposed that the Court approves the formation of a Multi-Academy Trust between the City of London Academy Southwark and Redriff Primary Academy. The schools are close to signing the final agreements and will submit them to the Secretary of State for Education. It requires the approval of the Court of Common Council to enter in to the arrangement and agree to extend the City of London’s academy sponsorship to Redriff Primary Academy. 

The potential educational benefits identified from such an arrangement include improving transition from primary to secondary education, raising standards in teaching and learning, and providing continuity of provision for vulnerable pupils and their families. The proposal to establish a Multi-Academy Trust is in line with government policy on education which promotes collaboration between schools as a means of securing improvements in educational standards. The proposal supports the City Corporation’s corporate objectives of enhancing services and outcomes for children and young people in the City and City fringes.

The Community and Children’s Services Committee has been monitoring the progress of discussions between the Academies and the Department for Education. To strengthen the case for federation a business case, risk register and arrangements for governance have been developed. The necessary consultations have taken place, including with the London Borough of Southwark who agree with the proposals. As the Committee responsible for the City Academy schools, the Community and Children’s Services Committee agreed to the development of the proposal in June 2013 and, following receipt of further information on the business case, due diligence checks, the governance arrangements and the financial implications, approved the agreement in principle.

We submit a printed and circulated report thereon recommending that the Court agree that the federation of the City of London Academy Southwark Ltd and Redriff Primary Academy is approved and that the City of London extends its academy school sponsorship to Redriff Primary Academy.

Read and agreed to.