Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 24 October 2014 to Question 211249, what powers academy trusts have to pre-screen parent director candidates prior to election by parents; and what guidance her Department issues to academy trusts on such pre-screening.

The model articles set out the arrangements for the election and appointment of parents to be directors of academy trusts. They provide discretion to directors of the trust to determine the terms of reference under which elections and appointments should be undertaken. The Department for Education has set out in the Governors’ Handbook the high professional standards which governors and directors are expected to meet. Academy trusts must ensure that directors are suitable and have the necessary skills and capacity to take on the role.