Social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) school in Lancaster, information for academy sponsors
10. Proposed timeline
The county council has been notified by the Department for Education of the conditional approval to establish the new school, and the process for this. The expected timescales for the development of the new school are subject to agreement between the DfE and the county council, however, we would like the school to be open as soon as possible.
The table below sets out a provisional timeline for the assessment, approval and implementation.
| Process Involved | Proposed Timeline |
|---|---|
| Invitations for expressions of interest published | July 2023 |
| Deadline for submitting your application in these competitions | September 2023 |
| DfE input into shortlisting | September2023 |
| Stage 1: shortlisting of applications | September 2023 |
| Stage 2: interviews start (including presentation by and interview of shortlisted proposer) | October 2023 |
| Visit to academies | October 2023 |
| Decision taken by cabinet on preferred academy proposer | November 2023 |
| LCC submission of applications to RSD for a decision | November2023 |
| Secretary of State approval – approved applications announced | December2023 |
| LCC will advise unsuccessful applicants | December 2023 |
| Statutory consultation (required under S10 of the Academies Act 2010) | December 2023 |
| Identified academy trust to enter into funding agreement with the Secretary of State | TBC |
| Refurbishment plans for the new school | January 2024 |
| Refurbishment works completed | July 2024 |
| New school opens | September 2024 |
The timescales are subject to confirmation and change as specific dates are in the control of the DfE and not the local authority.
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