Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what advice the Regional Schools Commissioner for the South East and South London gave to the Head Teacher Board on the statutory requirements on applications on behalf of federated schools for academy status in regulation 46 of the School Governance (Federations) (England) Regulations 2012 (SI 2012/1035) before approving the Academy Orders Prendergast, Prendergast Vale and Prendergast Ladywell Schools in Lewisham on 26 February 2015.

Academy Orders for Prendergast, Prendergast Vale and Prendergast Ladywell Schools were approved at the South East and South London Headteacher Board meeting on 26 February 2015. The Headteacher Board advises the Regional Schools Commissioner on the strength of all schools that apply to become academies.

It is for schools to ensure that they have complied with relevant requirements at the point that they make their application. We will amend the application form and update associated guidance to highlight the requirements of regulation 46 of the School Governance (Federations) (England) Regulations 2012 (SI 2012/1035) for federated schools wishing to become academies.