Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Robert Halfon Excerpts
Monday 9th September 2019

(5 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Kemi Badenoch Portrait Mrs Badenoch
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We are going to be looking at that as part of a review into special educational needs and disabilities, and I refer the hon. Gentleman to the written ministerial statement that we laid before Parliament today.

Robert Halfon Portrait Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con)
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Around 100 children in Harlow are without an education today as the Aspire Academy, run by TBAP, has closed yet again. Despite numerous meetings with Ministers and the academies commissioner, no action has yet been taken. Will my hon. Friend commit to the re-brokering of this school, so that a new academy can take it over and allow the children to return to their learning and the teachers to teaching? Mismanagement by the TBAP academy chain has gone on long enough.

Kemi Badenoch Portrait Mrs Badenoch
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An Ofsted inspection of the Aspire Academy in June 2019 rated the academy as inadequate and requiring special measures. The regional schools commissioner for east of England and north-east London issued a termination warning notice letter to TBAP, but a decision is yet to be made about the Aspire Academy and whether it will remain in the trust.