Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, for what reasons his Department has decided to introduce a new curriculum arms-length body.

Building on the success of Oak National Academy’s work during the COVID-19 pandemic, the department established a new arm’s length curriculum body, named after the Oak National Academy, on 1 September 2022. The curriculum arm’s length body will work with teachers across the country, giving them and their pupils access to high-quality digital curriculum resources which are free, optional, and adaptable. These optional resources will be available across the UK, helping teachers to deliver a high-quality curriculum.

These resources will ensure high-quality lessons are available nationwide, for the benefit of all children.

The department has produced a business case which further sets out our reasons for establishing a new arm’s length curriculum body. This will be published in due course.