A new primary school based on the major Teal Close development off Colwick Loop Road has been granted a 125-year academy lease by Nottinghamshire County Council ahead of its expected opening in September.
Construction at the Rivendell Flying High Academy, based at the 800 home -plus development near Netherfield, is nearing completion and will have 210 primary-aged pupils.
It was brought forward to meet the demand for places arising from the new housing development and has been built by property developer Persimmon Homes.
The Flying High Academy Trust was confirmed as the operating body for the school in October 2020, with the trust running several other new schools in the county including at the former Rolls-Royce site in Hucknall.
Now the county council has granted the 125-year lease, giving the organisation control over the school buildings for a “peppercorn rent”, meaning the trust will not pay a significant annual sum to run the academy.
The lease was granted by Councillor Keith Girling (Con), cabinet member for economic development and asset management, during a delegated decision last week.
In a report, Neil Gamble, group manager for property asset management at the council, said: “Following completion of the construction of the school by Persimmon, the freehold of the school land and buildings will be transferred to the council and this is expected to take place shortly.
“The Flying High Trust has applied and been selected to operate the school under the new school process.
“[It] is therefore entitled to a 125-year full repairing and insuring lease of the new school buildings and land at a peppercorn rent following the freehold transfer to the county council.”
The Flying High Trust confirmed earlier this year that Caroline Armstrong will be the academy’s headteacher when it opens in two months.
She took on the position following various roles within education, including headship and deputy head roles, and previously occupied a leadership role at The Flying High Academy in Mansfield.
Speaking in April, she said it was a “dream come true” to take on the role and said the school will be “exceptional from day one”.
She said: “We want this school to be a beacon of education for this community, with the best facilities and environment for children to learn.
“It is so exciting to be able to shape a school to be its best from the first day it opens its doors in state-of-the-art facilities.
“I am passionate about providing every child with the support they need to succeed in a warm and nurturing environment.
“Rivendell will be a true community school, where partnership and support for families are at the heart of its ethos.”
The new-build academy will fill up to 210 places over the coming years as the nearby development grows, with all year groups from foundation up to year six as well as nursery pupils due to start at the school in September.
