Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the value of assets transferred was from each school under the control of the Wakefield City Academy Trust in each year that the Trust was responsible for the running of those schools.

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.

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.