Asked by: Steve Barclay (Conservative - North East Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her planned timeline is for the delivery of new free schools approved in principle, including the (a) key stages from approval to opening, (b) typical duration of each stage and (c) factors impacting delivery times; and what the status is of the proposed Lime Academy school in March, Cambridgeshire, including (i) progress on site identification, (ii) anticipated pupil capacity, (iii) estimated capital cost and (iv) expected opening date.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
New free school projects that are centrally delivered by the department typically progress through six key stages: pre‑feasibility (including finding a suitable site), feasibility, procurement, design and planning, construction and handover, and post‑completion use. Utilising delivery data from the past 5 years, average durations are up to a year for feasibility, 18 months for procurement, and 18-24 months for construction. Delivery timelines can be impacted by a number of factors such as securing a suitable site and constraints, planning or environmental issues, and market conditions affecting costs and materials.
For Lime Academy March, a site off Kingswood Road has been identified and lease terms are under negotiation. The school is planned to provide 210 places for pupils aged 2–19. Capital costs are not yet confirmed at this stage. Current assumptions indicate an opening date no earlier than September 2029.
Asked by: Steve Barclay (Conservative - North East Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what funding is available from her Department for repairs to the heating system at Meadowgate Academy.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
Meadowgate Academy, as part of the Affinity Multi-Academy Trust, can access capital funding by applying to the condition improvement fund (CIF) each year. They can also apply for urgent capital support funding for urgent circumstances that cannot wait for the next CIF round.
My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has written to the right hon. Member for North East Cambridgeshire in more detail about Meadowgate’s specific circumstances.
Asked by: Steve Barclay (Conservative - North East Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will publish her Department's advice issued to Cambridgeshire County Council in relation to plans to expand the number of places at Meadowgate Academy in Wisbech.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell
In February 2021, the department approved the expansion of Meadowgate Academy by 60 places. The department has not provided advice to Cambridgeshire County Council on plans to expand the number of places.
Asked by: Steve Barclay (Conservative - North East Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to paragraph 5.1.2 of the report of the Prime Minister's Task Force on Tackling Radicalisation and Extremism, published in December 2013, how many people have been barred from managing or teaching at independent schools because of involvement with or links to extremism under the new regulations.
Answered by Edward Timpson
New regulations enabling the Secretary of State to bar individuals from taking part in the management of independent schools came into force in September 2014. A number of cases are under consideration.
These regulations cover individuals involved in the management of independent schools rather than teachers. The Teachers’ Standards were amended in September 2012 to require that teachers uphold public trust in the profession by not undermining fundamental British values. The National College of Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) takes decisions on whether to bar individuals from teaching and guidance to teacher misconduct panels issued in July 2014 makes clear behaviour that promotes extremism is likely to be considered incompatible with being a teacher. Four individuals are currently subject to Interim Prohibition Orders by NCTL preventing them from teaching for reasons relating to extremism.
We will investigate and take action wherever we find evidence of extremism.