Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with East Sussex County Council on the Hope Sussex Community Hub.

It is an offence, under Section 96 of the Education and Skills Act 2008, for a person to conduct an independent school unless it is registered with the Department. Under Section 97 of the 2008 Act, Ofsted may inspect, without notice, any establishment suspected of operating as an unregistered independent school.

Ofsted have made an attempt to inspect Hope Sussex Community Hub, based on a reasonable cause to believe that a suspected unregistered school was operating on the premises. Ofsted and the Department continue to monitor this case and will take further action as and when justified by available evidence. If evidence is found that shows an unregistered school is operating, the Department, Ofsted and the Crown Prosecution Service will consider whether prosecution is in the public interest.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, remains committed to legislate in order to strengthen Ofsted’s powers with regard to its investigation of unregistered independent schools.