Issue - items at meetings - FALMER ACADEMY UPDATE

Report of the Director of Children’s Services.

34.1         Lorraine O’Reilly, Project Director  for the Falmer Academy, presented the report to Members and answered questions.

34.2         The Committee was informed that funding for Falmer was signed off by the Secretary of State on the 10 November 2008 and the funding was agreed by the Partnership for Schools for the building. The whole project is costing approximately £28 million. Additionally, approval for Falmer Academy will be reached on 27 November, 2008.

34.3         Members were advised that there had been a visit for pupils, staff, Councillors to the London Academy to see how the London Academy was working and what ideas and improvements the group could take back with them and use.

34.4         It was noted that one of the objectives of the project was to decrease Not in Employment, Education and Training (NEET) figures in the area.

34.5         The Committee were informed that the Academy was on track for its completion date of September 2010, and that the construction companies would have the opportunity to make their bids for the building of the Academy.

34.6         In reply to questions on whether young people’s responses were being taken into account, it was explained that young people had engaged in a DVD that expressed their desires for the Academy and this was accessible on the website; and that pupils had written a booklet which was distributed to pupils, staff and parents and an awards ceremony had taken place for pupils and staff, with the sponsor.

34.7         In answer to a question on whether there was a governing body working with the Academy, the Committee were told that there was a charitable trust, the Department for Children and Families (DCF) and other advisors who would be working closely in the development of the  Academy.

34.8         RESOLVED – That the report be noted.