High quality academy trusts have been a key vehicle in improving educational standards. They have facilitated better collaboration, directed resources to where they are needed most, and enabled the best leaders to support a greater number of schools. As of 1 April, over 50% of all state-funded schools are academies.<\/p>
<\/p>
As of December 2023, 90% of schools were rated \u2018good\u2019 or \u2018outstanding\u2019, compared to 68% in 2010. There is also evidence that high quality trusts have improved underperforming schools via the sponsored academies programme. Departmental analysis has demonstrated that, on average, sponsored schools improve more quickly than equivalent local authority maintained schools. More than seven out of ten sponsored academies which were found to be underperforming as a local authority maintained school in their previous inspection now have a \u2018good\u2019 or \u2018outstanding\u2019 rating.<\/p>
<\/p>
Academy trusts work with their school\u2019s day to day to meet their responsibilities to keep buildings safe, well maintained and compliant with relevant regulations. The department supports them by providing significant capital funding, rebuilding programmes and support and guidance.<\/p>
<\/p>
The department has allocated £17 billion to improve the condition of the school estate since 2015, including £1.8 billion for the 2024/25 financial year. This is informed by consistent data on the condition of the school estate. In addition, the School Rebuilding Programme is transforming buildings at over 500 schools across England.<\/p>
<\/p>
The department also provides extensive guidance to help academy trusts and other responsible bodies to maintain their estates safely and effectively, such as through Good Estate Management for Schools. The department has also published a new estate management competency framework, which sets out the skills and knowledge needed in different roles to manage school estates.<\/p>
<\/p>
Where there are serious issues with buildings that cannot be managed independently by responsible bodies, the department provides additional advice and support on a case by case basis.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3969", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Damian Hinds"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Hampshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Damian Hinds"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-13T16:42:23.353Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-05-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Academies"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the role that academy trusts in improving (a) educational standards and (b) school facilities.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3998", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mark Menzies"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Fylde"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mark Menzies"} ], "uin" : "24650"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1700444", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1700444/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The circumstances in which the department can remove a school from an academy trust without the agreement of the trust are set out in published guidance, which is titled \u2018Schools causing concern\u2019. <\/em>In summary, the department can remove a school in circumstances where my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education\u2019s, powers are triggered to terminate its funding agreement. Academies are accountable to the Secretary of State and therefore local authorities have no powers to remove an academy from a trust.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3969", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Damian Hinds"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Hampshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Damian Hinds"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-04-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-04-22T16:19:22.363Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-04-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Academies"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance her Department provides on the powers (a) she and (b) local education authorities have to remove a school from an academy trust without the agreement of the trust.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4842", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sally-Ann Hart"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hastings and Rye"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sally-Ann Hart"}
], "uin" : "21331"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1694943", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1694943/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) may conduct or commission investigations into allegations of fraud, theft or irregularity in any academy trust. Since 1 November 2022, ESFA has completed seven investigations into academy trusts.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3985", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Robert Halfon"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Harlow"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Robert Halfon"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-03-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-03-14T10:03:26.077Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-03-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Academies"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many investigations into academy trusts have been completed by the Education & Skills Funding Agency since 1 November 2022.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4682", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Luke Pollard"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Luke Pollard"}
], "uin" : "17920"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1693383", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1693383/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Between January 2008 and December 2023, 9,345 schools opened as primary converter academies, primary sponsored academies, secondary converter academies and secondary sponsored academies. A breakdown of this information by calendar year is given the following table:<\/p> <\/p> <\/p><\/td> Primary<\/strong><\/p><\/td> Secondary<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> Converter<\/strong><\/p><\/td> Sponsored<\/strong><\/p><\/td> Converter<\/strong><\/p><\/td> Sponsored<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2008<\/strong><\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> 47<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2009<\/strong><\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> 70<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2010<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 25<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> 68<\/p><\/td> 68<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2011<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 309<\/p><\/td> 5<\/p><\/td> 724<\/p><\/td> 48<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2012<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 423<\/p><\/td> 171<\/p><\/td> 366<\/p><\/td> 76<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2013<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 424<\/p><\/td> 291<\/p><\/td> 132<\/p><\/td> 84<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2014<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 393<\/p><\/td> 264<\/p><\/td> 68<\/p><\/td> 56<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2015<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 380<\/p><\/td> 190<\/p><\/td> 51<\/p><\/td> 62<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2016<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 545<\/p><\/td> 148<\/p><\/td> 64<\/p><\/td> 34<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2017<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 621<\/p><\/td> 190<\/p><\/td> 80<\/p><\/td> 47<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2018<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 604<\/p><\/td> 162<\/p><\/td> 64<\/p><\/td> 44<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2019<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 442<\/p><\/td> 98<\/p><\/td> 45<\/p><\/td> 25<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2020<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 198<\/p><\/td> 59<\/p><\/td> 21<\/p><\/td> 17<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2021<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 254<\/p><\/td> 40<\/p><\/td> 28<\/p><\/td> 16<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2022<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 258<\/p><\/td> 44<\/p><\/td> 22<\/p><\/td> 13<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2023<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 272<\/p><\/td> 53<\/p><\/td> 32<\/p><\/td> 10<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> <\/p> Table 1: Converter and sponsored academies opened between 2008 and 2023.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3969", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Damian Hinds"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Hampshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Damian Hinds"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-03-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-03-12T17:26:00.23Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-03-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Academies"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many schools were converted to (a) primary converter, (b) primary sponsored, (c) secondary converter and (d) secondary sponsored academies in each year from 2008 to 2023.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/111", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nick Gibb"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bognor Regis and Littlehampton"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Nick Gibb"}
], "uin" : "16585"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1693384", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1693384/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " As of 4 March 2024, there are 7,223 mainstream primary academies and 12 alternative provision primary academies. There are 2,867 mainstream secondary academies and 151 alternative provision secondary academies.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3969", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Damian Hinds"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Hampshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Damian Hinds"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-03-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-03-12T17:24:26.123Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-03-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Academies"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many (a) primary mainstream, (b) primary alternative provision, (c) secondary mainstream and (d) secondary alternative provision schools were academies on 4 March 2024.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/111", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nick Gibb"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bognor Regis and Littlehampton"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Nick Gibb"}
], "uin" : "16586"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1688246", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1688246/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Departmental officials have checked records from 1 January 2020 to 12 February 2024, and the total number of successful applications from academy trusts for the freehold sale of school land is 49.<\/p> The department\u2019s policy is that capital receipts from the disposal of publicly funded playing field land should ordinarily be reinvested in improving sports provision at the affected school or local schools. Capital receipts from the disposal of publicly funded non-playing field land should be reinvested in capital projects at the affected school or local schools. Playing field land is defined widely as: land in the open air which is provided for the purposes of physical education or recreation.<\/p> Departmental officials have checked the records from 1 January 2020 to 12 February 2024, and the department has not received any applications from academy trusts in Norwich to sell school land.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3969", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Damian Hinds"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Hampshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Damian Hinds"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-02-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "13664"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-02-21T12:41:15.167Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-02-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Academies"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many applications by academy trusts to her Department to sell school grounds have been successful.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4500", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Clive Lewis"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Norwich South"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Clive Lewis"}
], "uin" : "13588"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1686435", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1686435/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " All academy trusts are exempt charities under paragraph 8 of Schedule 3 to the Charities Act 2011.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3969", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Damian Hinds"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Hampshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Damian Hinds"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-02-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-02-07T16:00:39.203Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-01-31", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Academies"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her Department's policy is on whether multi-academy trusts must be an exempt charity, rather than a charity.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4129", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ian Paisley"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Antrim"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ian Paisley"}
], "uin" : "12435"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1678649", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1678649/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " In December 2023, there were 1,000 Single Academy Trusts (SATs) running one school compared to 1,321 Multi Academy Trusts (MATs) running more than one school, which accounts for 9,603 academies and free schools in total in MATs. A full breakdown of the number of SATs in each local authority and more information is available here: https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Downloads<\/a>.<\/p> In terms of assessing effectiveness, a direct performance comparison between SATs and MATs is not possible because many good and outstanding schools converted as SATs and some remain as such. Schools that underperformed as local authority maintained schools are typically transferred into MATs as sponsored academies.<\/p> The department believes that the best way to improve school standards is for all schools to be in strong families of schools, benefitting from the support of the best in the group and the resilience that comes from being part of a larger group of schools. Over time, the department would like all schools to be in a strong multi-academy trust because of the positive impact it can have on children\u2019s lives. The department aims to have the vast majority of schools in trusts before 2030.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3969", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Damian Hinds"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Hampshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Damian Hinds"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-01-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-01-09T12:46:11.523Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-12-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Academies"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many standalone multi-academy trusts there are in each local authority area; and if she will make a comparative assessment of the effectiveness of multi-academy trusts that (a) are standalone and (b) have a number of schools.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4105", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Justin Tomlinson"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Swindon"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Justin Tomlinson"}
], "uin" : "7327"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1655922", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1655922/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Between 2021 and 2023, 649 academies have transferred trust. The below table provides detail on the reasons for transfer. Further information is available via the Academy Transfers and Funding publication, which can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/academy-transfers-and-funding<\/a>.<\/p> <\/p><\/td> 2021<\/p><\/td> 2022<\/p><\/td> 2023<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Due to Intervention<\/p><\/td> 40<\/p><\/td> 32<\/p><\/td> 24<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Transfer Initiated by Trust<\/p><\/td> 135<\/p><\/td> 162<\/p><\/td> 179<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Sponsor Closure<\/p><\/td> 26<\/p><\/td> 41<\/p><\/td> 10<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/111", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nick Gibb"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bognor Regis and Littlehampton"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Nick Gibb"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-09-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-09-26T15:37:26.947Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-09-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Academies"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many academies were re-brokered in (a) 2021, (b) 2022 and (b) 2023; and for what reasons each academy was re-brokered.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4396", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rebecca Long Bailey"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Salford and Eccles"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Rebecca Long Bailey"}
], "uin" : "196005"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1603994", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1603994/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Department is focused on continuing to improve standards in schools, providing the best education for children, including for those from disadvantaged backgrounds and with special educational needs. The best way for this to happen is for all schools to be in strong families of schools, benefitting from the support of the best in the group, and the resilience that comes from being part of a larger group of schools. That is why, over time, the Department would like all schools to be in a strong multi-academy trust (MAT), due to the positive impact it can have on children\u2019s lives. If we get this right then we will see the vast majority of schools in trusts before 2030. The Department is exploring how to further support the growth of strong multi-academy trusts through the Regulation and Commissioning Review.<\/p> The current national academisation rate is 47.4%, which includes 10,254 academies and free schools out of a total of 21,630 state funded schools. This has increased from 45.7% in March 2022 when the Schools White Paper was published. Of those, 9,173 are in a MAT.<\/p> There are 94 MATs that serve at least 7,500 pupils. These represent 6.9% of the total of 1,345 MATs, and are comprised of 2,341 Academies (22.8% of the total number) and just over 1.24 million pupils (26.2% of the total).<\/p> There are 266 MATs serving 10 or more schools, which is 19.7% of the total. These are comprised of 4,872 Academies (47.5%) and 1.94 million pupils (40.8%).<\/p> The Department does not issue guidance specifically on the size of MATs.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/111", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nick Gibb"}
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, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Nick Gibb"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-03-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-03-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent progress her Department has made on ensuring that schools run by local authorities (a) become an academy and (b) join a multi-academy trust.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4669", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Damien Moore"}
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, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Southport"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Damien Moore"}
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