Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to monitor the (a) educational attainment of, (b) financial performance of and (c) special educational needs support provided by education providers and multi-academy trusts.

The Department has a robust, transparent accountability system in place for education providers which monitors the attainment, progress and destinations of those they teach, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This system is based on performance data published through school and college performance tables and the inspection of schools and colleges through Ofsted. Ofsted inspections include consideration of how well schools and colleges meets the needs of pupils with SEND.

Multi-Academy Trust performance measures were published alongside school performance tables for the first time in 2016.

Where schools and colleges are underperforming the Secretary of State has intervention powers set out in legislation and published in the Schools Causing Concern Guidance.

Academies also operate under a robust system of financial oversight and accountability, founded on a clear framework, effective oversight and compliance based on proportionate risk assessment and intervention where required. Where concerns arise, the Education and Skills Funding Agency works with trusts to prevent financial instability and enable them to recover their financial position and return to stable governance. The sector remains in a strong position, with fewer than 2% of academy trusts subject to an active Financial Notice to Improve.