Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) reducing the (i) scope and (ii) funding of the Oak National Academy arms-length body and (b) pausing procurement processes until a new curriculum partner can be found following the withdrawal of United Learning.

As an integral part of the process to set up Oak National Academy as an arm’s length body (ALB), the department carefully considered the scope and minimum viable funding that will enable the ALB to deliver its vital objectives and provide value for money. Progress will be monitored throughout Oak’s lifetime and will be factored into the body’s ongoing evaluation and two-year review.

Oak National Academy’s forthcoming procurement will identify curriculum partners, ensuring all teachers are able to access leading curriculum thinking and expertise, drawn from across the education sector.