Details of DfE plans to rebuild £59 million free school appear to have been kept secret from its board

Non-discussion of detailed future of Canary Wharf College secondary, within controversial East London development, raise questions about role of interim chief executive ahead of a merger with another trust, which she also leads.

An academy trust’s interim chief executive appears not to have been open with her board about government plans to provide a multi-million pound new building to one of its schools, as it considered joining another chain which she also leads.

Gillian Kemp, who was interim chief executive at a chain of free schools in East London, appears not to have shared with its board details of Department for Education plans to rebuild the school, as part of a controversial new housing development.

Instead, the board was given the impression, meeting minutes show, that the new premises for the school could be conditional on joining another multi-academy trust, which Ms Kemp also leads. The two organisations have since merged, with the government’s investment in the new school building this year announced at £59 million.

Parents, who have been critical of the merger and obtaining information via Freedom of Information requests, say it has enabled a cash-strapped academy trust to take on a smaller chain to boost its finances, with the rebuilt secondary school a major prize.

Ms Kemp has been approached for comment.