Academies

(asked on 24th October 2014) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many new school applications have been processed by regional school commissioners; how many such applications were (a) approved and (b) refused; and what the reasons for such approval or refusal were in each case.


Answered by
Edward Timpson Portrait
Edward Timpson
This question was answered on 29th October 2014

The regional schools commissioners (RSCs) have been involved in nine applications for new academies under the academy presumption (section 6A of the Education and Inspections Act 2006). RSCs do not make the decision about whether a new school is needed or not. This decision lies with the relevant local authority, and arises from the basic need for more pupil places. The RSCs’ role is limited to deciding who would be the best proposer to establish the new school.

In six cases the RSC approved the proposer recommended by the local authority. In three cases a different proposer was approved. In each case this decision was taken based on an assessment of the capacity, capability and performance of all proposers.

RSCs do not currently make decisions about free school applications.

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