Decision details

Due to Partners in Learning (PiL) ceasing trading, it became a priority to urgently transfer the remainder of the funding to another provider, in order to successfully complete the programme.

Empowering Minds partnered with PiL to support with the delivery of specific elements of this programme and are delivering wider projects and programmes for the OA. . Therefore, it seems appropriate for consistency of delivery to continue the programme through Empowering Minds, who will work with existing partners and schools to ensure a smooth handover and effective delivery.

To transfer £28,950 of the original grant award to Empowering Minds MAT/ Tranmoor Primary to support the continued delivery of the OA Reading and Writing CPD programme. This was was previously delivered (in part) by Partners in Learning (PiL).

This ODR is in response to PiL ceasing trading in March 2022. The original project cost was £80,000 and was approved previously. The above amount is to cover the delivery of the remainder of the programme, until the end of the academic year and will allow for the delivery of the remaining eight events, school visits, an evaluation and associated management and admin costs

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:
Tender- There is an urgency to get this intervention in place to continue with the programme, with a provider that is closely connected to the overall OA priority and has/ is continuing to deliver in other areas within the priory area. With the time limited funding of the OA and to meet the needs of the beneficiaries there is no viable alternative to the above as it would impact on the smooth implementation of the programme.

Do nothing - This would not meet the identified needs of schools to aid them in supporting disadvantaged students. This would effectively mean the impact of Covid would have a longer-term effect on our children and young people in education. Ending the programme mid point would mean schools do not receive the comprehensive offer as described previously.