To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what requirement there is to consult where an existing single academy trust wishes to become a multi-academy trust; what steps are taken when those requirements to consult are not met; and if he will make a statement.
Answered on
14 July 2014
The Department for Education has published non-statutory guidance for academies wanting to change from a single academy trust to a multi academy trust. The Education Funding Agency (EFA), on behalf of the Secretary of State, requires confirmation from the academy trust that a consultation has been held before a decision on making the change is granted. The guidance also refers to the EFA's need to be satisfied that the local authority has also been consulted. The EFA will consider any reasonable objections to the proposed change before making its decision.
If the requirements to consult as set out in the guidance are not met, the EFA considers whether the academy trust should be asked to comply with the consultation requirements before a decision on the change could be made, or whether there is good reason not to do so.