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<p>In line with its Funding Agreement, Wakefield City Academies Trust (WCAT) is taking
a trust-wide perspective of its finances. The department has looked at the allegations
of assets being moved inappropriately from WCAT schools and we have seen no evidence
of this. The West Yorkshire Police have investigated and found allegations of financial
irregularities at the trust to be unsubstantiated. As a result, the police concluded
their inquiries with no further action. This follows the auditors’ unqualified opinion
on the trust’s accounts.</p><p> </p><p>Our priority continues to be to transfer the
schools to strong trusts that will be able to drive rapid and sustainable school improvement,
to give pupils the best possible education. On 1 April 2018, 11 of the schools formally
transferred from WCAT to their new Trusts. The department is working to transfer the
remaining 10 academies as smoothly as possible and in a way that secures the financial
future for each school as well as the education of their pupils. We have worked with
all the schools and the new trusts to provide appropriate support and resources, including
funding, so that each of the schools has what is required to improve pupil outcomes.</p>
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