Purpose

Cabinet approved the allocation of
£1.500m of High Needs capital grant on the 25 June 2025 to
enable adaptation work and equipping of a number of new SEN Units,
to open in September 2025.  The detail of which was overseen by the
Education Capital Officer Board.
Silver Springs Academy was one of the Academies
identified to host a SEN unit within the school grounds utilising
the High Needs capital grant.
To accommodate the new facility, the Council is
leasing the first floor of the adjacent Ridge Hill Children’s
Centre on terms detailed in this report.
This report seeks approval to novate an
existing grant agreement in respect of the adaptation works
undertaken at Silver Springs Academy School, from the original
recipient academy trust, Great Academies Education Trust (GAET), to
the incoming, replacement academy trust, Dixons Academies Trust
(DAT), and to approve the terms of the new
lease.

Content

(i)           
That
approval be given for the novation of the grant agreement for
adaptation works at Silver Springs Academy School dated 20 August
2025 from Great Academies Education Trust to Dixons Academies Trust
and the entering into of the Deed of Novation documenting the terms
of novation, to enable the continued provision of additional SEN
places within the Borough. 

(ii)           
That the
Director of Legal and Democratic Services be autorised, in
consultation with the Director of Children’s Services and
Strategic Director of Housing, Environment and Estates, to finalise
the Deed of Novation and any associated documentation.

(iii)           
That
approval be given to the terms agreed to grant a new lease to
Dixons Academies Trust for the first floor of the Ridge Hill
Children’s Centre. 

Reasons for the decision

Merger of Great Ashton Education
Trust with Dixons Academy Trust. 

Alternative options considered

To not approve the novation of the
Grant Agreement. However, this may prevent or delay the
transfer.