Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government who can apply for an Academy Order to be revoked under section 5D of the Academies Act 2010; and what criteria are used for making a revocation.

A maintained school governing body may apply to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, to use his powers to revoke an academy order. The governing body must have agreed to apply for revocation by a majority vote for the application to be considered by the Secretary of State.

The department’s statutory guidance on schools causing concern makes clear that the Secretary of State’s power to revoke an academy order will only be used in very exceptional circumstances. These circumstances may include where a maintained school is not viable, and it is most appropriate for it to close, or where Ofsted have re-inspected the school and judged that it is no longer inadequate, and the current leadership and management is capable of driving continued improvement.