Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much financial and in-kind support, including staff time, has been provided to each of the events entitled the Academies Show held in London and Birmingham since May 2010; and what the cost was of (a) venue hire, (b) catering, (c) promotion and advertising, (d) presentations, (e) work performed by officials in his Department in preparing, promoting and visiting these events and (f) other costs in respect of those events.

The Department for Education does not make any financial contribution to the Academies Show. The cost of venue hire, catering, promotion and advertising is covered by GovNet Communications, a private sector publisher and events organisation.

A Minister and a director from the Department make keynote speeches to open each Academies Show, and between five and ten other senior staff give up to three one hour presentations each, during the day.

One member of staff from the Department works with GovNet Communications, for approximately one hour a week, to put together the events programme and to coordinate and manage the department’s stand at the show. This stand is provided free of charge by GovNet. Up to 40 members of staff operate the Department’s stand on a shift basis, to answer questions that delegates have about the academies programme.

The Academies Show brings together headteachers, teachers, governors, school business managers and others involved in the world of education. The show provides an opportunity for delegates to increase their understanding of the academies programme and to hear presentations and case studies from a wide range of education experts. The last Academies Show, held in London in April 2014 attracted almost 2,400 visitors.