Social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) school in Lancaster, information for academy sponsors

  1. Overview
  2. Introduction
  3. Background
  4. Current arrangements
  5. Location
  6. Establishing new schools
  1. Specifications
  2. Funding arrangements
  3. Application process
  4. Proposed timeline
  5. Assessment criteria
  6. Delivering excellence in education

9. Application process

Academy sponsors wishing to express an interest in the new school for primary aged pupils identified as having social, emotional and mental health needs should do so by completing the application form available online.

You need to complete a free school application, which consists of two forms (an Excel form for criteria sections A and B and a Word form for criteria sections C, D, and E ). You must use the forms provided on GOV.UK.

Submit your application by email to Janette Hastings at Janette.hastings@lancashire.gov.uk and FreeSchool.PRESUMPTION@education.gov.uk

The closing date for submissions is 12 noon on Friday 15 September 2023.

Evaluation and decision arrangements

Having invited expressions of interest from academy proposers, a detailed evaluation will be undertaken in accordance with the assessment criteria provided within this document and the accompanying application form.

A two-stage process will be followed to determine the county council’s preferred academy sponsor for the new school, comprising of the initial written application and followed by a presentation and interview by shortlisted sponsors and where appropriate, a visit to an existing similar academy that they currently operate.

Each stage of the application process will be allocated a score and for those academy sponsors shortlisted to the second stage, the total scores for each stage will be aggregated to determine an overall evaluation mark to determine a preferred sponsor. Further details of the scoring methodology to be used to evaluation are provided within the accompanying application form.

This will enable consideration by the county council cabinet of a preferred sponsor.

Subject to the Cabinet’s consideration, a submission will be made to the Regional Director (RD), who is acting on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education, which will include all proposals received, with the local authority’s assessment of these to assist the RD in their decision.

The RD will carefully consider the county council’s submission and assuming agreement, will then make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Education who will make the final decision.

Once a decision has been made, the county council will work closely with the chosen sponsor and the DfE (through the Education Skills and Funding Agency) to conclude the development and operational details of the new school.

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