Written questions by Vaz.

If she will take steps to increase levels of transparency on the Oak National Academy's future funding and scope, in the context of the absence of a public consultation.

For financial years 2022/23 to 2024/25, Oak National Academy (Oak) was allocated funding of £47 million. Any in-year underspend by Oak is returned to the department and reallocated to other education priorities, as with all other programmes.The government has publicly announced Oak’s future scope, including its updating of materials to align with the refreshed national curriculum, its technical support for the department’s development of the digital curriculum, and Oak’s redevelopment of reception year resources. The precise level of funding for this work is being agreed through the department’s business planning process. Oak’s remit and funding for the coming year will be set out in a published letter to the Chair of the Oak Board.In September 2025, we published the findings of an independent review and a market impact assessment of Oak which examined the effectiveness of the organisation and the extent to which it is meeting its strategic aims and delivering value for money. The reports have informed the government’s decisions about the future remit and funding of Oak and are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/oak-national-academy-independent-review-and-market-impact-assessment. Oak has also published an independent evaluation at: https://www.thenational.academy/about-us/meet-the-team#documents.

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness and value for money of the £53 million spent on the Oak National Academy in the last three years, in the context of levels of financial pressures on schools.

For financial years 2022/23 to 2024/25, Oak National Academy (Oak) was allocated funding of £47 million. Any in-year underspend by Oak is returned to the department and reallocated to other education priorities, as with all other programmes.The government has publicly announced Oak’s future scope, including its updating of materials to align with the refreshed national curriculum, its technical support for the department’s development of the digital curriculum, and Oak’s redevelopment of reception year resources. The precise level of funding for this work is being agreed through the department’s business planning process. Oak’s remit and funding for the coming year will be set out in a published letter to the Chair of the Oak Board.In September 2025, we published the findings of an independent review and a market impact assessment of Oak which examined the effectiveness of the organisation and the extent to which it is meeting its strategic aims and delivering value for money. The reports have informed the government’s decisions about the future remit and funding of Oak and are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/oak-national-academy-independent-review-and-market-impact-assessment. Oak has also published an independent evaluation at: https://www.thenational.academy/about-us/meet-the-team#documents.

What information her Department holds on Oak National Academy’s plans for spending unspent money from the £53 million grant it received from the Government in the last three years.

For financial years 2022/23 to 2024/25, Oak National Academy (Oak) was allocated funding of £47 million. Any in-year underspend by Oak is returned to the department and reallocated to other education priorities, as with all other programmes.The government has publicly announced Oak’s future scope, including its updating of materials to align with the refreshed national curriculum, its technical support for the department’s development of the digital curriculum, and Oak’s redevelopment of reception year resources. The precise level of funding for this work is being agreed through the department’s business planning process. Oak’s remit and funding for the coming year will be set out in a published letter to the Chair of the Oak Board.In September 2025, we published the findings of an independent review and a market impact assessment of Oak which examined the effectiveness of the organisation and the extent to which it is meeting its strategic aims and delivering value for money. The reports have informed the government’s decisions about the future remit and funding of Oak and are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/oak-national-academy-independent-review-and-market-impact-assessment. Oak has also published an independent evaluation at: https://www.thenational.academy/about-us/meet-the-team#documents.

Pursuant to her Answer of 2 February 2026 to Question 109084, on Free Schools, what information her Department holds on the reasons for Walsall Council's payment of £1million to the Department for Education; and whether this formed part of her criteria for approval of the Swift Academy.

The payment represents a contribution towards the capital costs of developing the school site, as has happened with a number of free school projects. It is included within an agreement with the local authority, signed prior to the commencement of the pipeline review. This contribution did not form part of the decision-making process.

What steps she is taking to help address concerns raised in relation to the Judicial Review of Oak National Academy by (a) education unions, (b) publishers, (c) authors and (d) any other educational suppliers.

I cannot comment on the Judicial Review of Oak National Academy, which is ongoing.

What the funding for the Oak Academy is in the 2025-2026 financial year.

The department is providing grant-in-aid of up to a maximum of £17.412 million for Oak National Academy (Oak) for financial year 2025/26. The level of funding for Oak for financial years 2026/27 to 2027/28, as with other programmes, will be confirmed through the department’s business planning process. Funding from 2028/29 onward will be subject to the 2027 Spending Review.

When she plans to outline funding arrangements for the Oak National Academy in 2026-2029.

The department is providing grant-in-aid of up to a maximum of £17.412 million for Oak National Academy (Oak) for financial year 2025/26. The level of funding for Oak for financial years 2026/27 to 2027/28, as with other programmes, will be confirmed through the department’s business planning process. Funding from 2028/29 onward will be subject to the 2027 Spending Review.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 January 2026 to Question 99790 on Free Schools, how much funding her Department has provided to Swift Academy in each financial year since 2016-17.

The department provides and retains responsibility for capital funding for the acquisition of sites/land and construction of free schools. A site has not yet been acquired for this project. When a site is secured, details and costs of the acquisition will be set out on the Land Registry website. We also publish details and costs for all free school construction contracts on Contracts Finder.The department also provides revenue funding (via project development grants) directly to proposers to cover essential non-capital costs prior to each school opening. A one-off project development grant of £30,000 was paid to the trust in July 2017 following the approval of the project.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 January 2026 to Question 99790 on Free Schools, if she will publish the criteria used to determine which free schools should be proceeded with.

The criteria for the mainstream free schools pipeline review were set out in the Written Ministerial Statement laid on 22 October 2024. The department assessed the local need for school places, value for money and whether projects would provide a distinctive local offer or risk negatively impacting other local schools.The department has offered feedback to local authorities, trusts and MPs with a related pipeline free school project.We keep all pipeline projects under review to ensure that they meet a need for places and represent value for public money. This includes the use of annually published pupil place planning data, which informs ministerial decision‑making.In 2016, the previous government ran a central free school programme application wave, which was open to all trusts to submit proposals for new free schools. All applications received were assessed against the published selection criteria in the How To Apply Guidance.Local consultation is also undertaken prior to the opening of any new free school, enabling residents and other interested parties to provide their views on the proposal.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 January 2026 to Question 99790 on Free Schools, if she will make it her policy to undertake a new assessment against the (a) selection criteria and (b) geographical context on Swift Academy.

The criteria for the mainstream free schools pipeline review were set out in the Written Ministerial Statement laid on 22 October 2024. The department assessed the local need for school places, value for money and whether projects would provide a distinctive local offer or risk negatively impacting other local schools.The department has offered feedback to local authorities, trusts and MPs with a related pipeline free school project.We keep all pipeline projects under review to ensure that they meet a need for places and represent value for public money. This includes the use of annually published pupil place planning data, which informs ministerial decision‑making.In 2016, the previous government ran a central free school programme application wave, which was open to all trusts to submit proposals for new free schools. All applications received were assessed against the published selection criteria in the How To Apply Guidance.Local consultation is also undertaken prior to the opening of any new free school, enabling residents and other interested parties to provide their views on the proposal.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 January 2026 to Question 99790 on Free Schools, which trusts her Department invited in 2016.

The criteria for the mainstream free schools pipeline review were set out in the Written Ministerial Statement laid on 22 October 2024. The department assessed the local need for school places, value for money and whether projects would provide a distinctive local offer or risk negatively impacting other local schools.The department has offered feedback to local authorities, trusts and MPs with a related pipeline free school project.We keep all pipeline projects under review to ensure that they meet a need for places and represent value for public money. This includes the use of annually published pupil place planning data, which informs ministerial decision‑making.In 2016, the previous government ran a central free school programme application wave, which was open to all trusts to submit proposals for new free schools. All applications received were assessed against the published selection criteria in the How To Apply Guidance.Local consultation is also undertaken prior to the opening of any new free school, enabling residents and other interested parties to provide their views on the proposal.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 January 2026 to Question 99790 on Free Schools, what steps her Department is taking to assess the (a) need for places and (b) value for money of the Swift Academy; and if she will publish that assessment.

The criteria for the mainstream free schools pipeline review were set out in the Written Ministerial Statement laid on 22 October 2024. The department assessed the local need for school places, value for money and whether projects would provide a distinctive local offer or risk negatively impacting other local schools.The department has offered feedback to local authorities, trusts and MPs with a related pipeline free school project.We keep all pipeline projects under review to ensure that they meet a need for places and represent value for public money. This includes the use of annually published pupil place planning data, which informs ministerial decision‑making.In 2016, the previous government ran a central free school programme application wave, which was open to all trusts to submit proposals for new free schools. All applications received were assessed against the published selection criteria in the How To Apply Guidance.Local consultation is also undertaken prior to the opening of any new free school, enabling residents and other interested parties to provide their views on the proposal.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 January 2026 to Question 99790 on Free Schools, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the surplus of school places in Walsall and Bloxwich constituency on the decision whether to proceed with the Swift Academy.

The criteria for the mainstream free schools pipeline review were set out in the Written Ministerial Statement laid on 22 October 2024. The department assessed the local need for school places, value for money and whether projects would provide a distinctive local offer or risk negatively impacting other local schools.The department has offered feedback to local authorities, trusts and MPs with a related pipeline free school project.We keep all pipeline projects under review to ensure that they meet a need for places and represent value for public money. This includes the use of annually published pupil place planning data, which informs ministerial decision‑making.In 2016, the previous government ran a central free school programme application wave, which was open to all trusts to submit proposals for new free schools. All applications received were assessed against the published selection criteria in the How To Apply Guidance.Local consultation is also undertaken prior to the opening of any new free school, enabling residents and other interested parties to provide their views on the proposal.

On what date her Department made the decision to award the contract to the Windsor Academy Trust for the Swift Academy in Walsall; and who was consulted on that decision.

On 15 December 2025, a Written Ministerial Statement was laid setting out outcomes of the mainstream free school pipeline review.All free school projects in scope were evaluated in line with consistent criteria, focusing on assessing the local need for places and value for money. This included considering whether projects would provide a distinctive local offer or risk negatively impacting other local schools. The department reviewed evidence provided by trusts and local authorities, as well as latest published data on pupil place planning, to determine whether there is strong evidence of the continued need for additional places.We are proceeding with mainstream projects that meet the needs of communities, respond to demographic and housing demand, raise standards without undermining the viability of existing local schools and colleges or offer something unique for students who would otherwise not have access to it.In the Walsall and Bloxwich constituency, the decision has been taken to proceed with the Swift Academy, to address urgent local secondary sufficiency pressure.The department provides and retains responsibility for capital funding for the acquisition of sites and construction of free schools. The department also provides revenue funding, via project development grants, directly to proposers to cover essential non-capital costs prior to each school opening.In 2016, the department invited trusts to submit proposals for new free schools to be funded and delivered through the central free school programme as part of application Wave 12. Swift Academy (then called Blakenall Free School) was approved in April 2017 following an application from The Windsor Academy Trust. All applications were assessed against published selection criteria and geographical context.Local residents, interested parties and statutory bodies will be consulted prior to the school opening. As with all projects, Swift Academy will continue to be assessed on an ongoing basis to ensure it continues to meet the need for places and provides value for money.

With reference to the £50m funding for the Swift Academy in Walsall, which other bodies applied for that funding.

On 15 December 2025, a Written Ministerial Statement was laid setting out outcomes of the mainstream free school pipeline review.All free school projects in scope were evaluated in line with consistent criteria, focusing on assessing the local need for places and value for money. This included considering whether projects would provide a distinctive local offer or risk negatively impacting other local schools. The department reviewed evidence provided by trusts and local authorities, as well as latest published data on pupil place planning, to determine whether there is strong evidence of the continued need for additional places.We are proceeding with mainstream projects that meet the needs of communities, respond to demographic and housing demand, raise standards without undermining the viability of existing local schools and colleges or offer something unique for students who would otherwise not have access to it.In the Walsall and Bloxwich constituency, the decision has been taken to proceed with the Swift Academy, to address urgent local secondary sufficiency pressure.The department provides and retains responsibility for capital funding for the acquisition of sites and construction of free schools. The department also provides revenue funding, via project development grants, directly to proposers to cover essential non-capital costs prior to each school opening.In 2016, the department invited trusts to submit proposals for new free schools to be funded and delivered through the central free school programme as part of application Wave 12. Swift Academy (then called Blakenall Free School) was approved in April 2017 following an application from The Windsor Academy Trust. All applications were assessed against published selection criteria and geographical context.Local residents, interested parties and statutory bodies will be consulted prior to the school opening. As with all projects, Swift Academy will continue to be assessed on an ongoing basis to ensure it continues to meet the need for places and provides value for money.

On what evidential basis she decided to proceed with funding the Swift Academy in Walsall and Bloxwich constituency.

On 15 December 2025, a Written Ministerial Statement was laid setting out outcomes of the mainstream free school pipeline review.All free school projects in scope were evaluated in line with consistent criteria, focusing on assessing the local need for places and value for money. This included considering whether projects would provide a distinctive local offer or risk negatively impacting other local schools. The department reviewed evidence provided by trusts and local authorities, as well as latest published data on pupil place planning, to determine whether there is strong evidence of the continued need for additional places.We are proceeding with mainstream projects that meet the needs of communities, respond to demographic and housing demand, raise standards without undermining the viability of existing local schools and colleges or offer something unique for students who would otherwise not have access to it.In the Walsall and Bloxwich constituency, the decision has been taken to proceed with the Swift Academy, to address urgent local secondary sufficiency pressure.The department provides and retains responsibility for capital funding for the acquisition of sites and construction of free schools. The department also provides revenue funding, via project development grants, directly to proposers to cover essential non-capital costs prior to each school opening.In 2016, the department invited trusts to submit proposals for new free schools to be funded and delivered through the central free school programme as part of application Wave 12. Swift Academy (then called Blakenall Free School) was approved in April 2017 following an application from The Windsor Academy Trust. All applications were assessed against published selection criteria and geographical context.Local residents, interested parties and statutory bodies will be consulted prior to the school opening. As with all projects, Swift Academy will continue to be assessed on an ongoing basis to ensure it continues to meet the need for places and provides value for money.

What criteria she used to determine which free schools should (a) be proceeded with and (b) not be proceeded with.

On 15 December 2025, a Written Ministerial Statement was laid setting out outcomes of the mainstream free school pipeline review.All free school projects in scope were evaluated in line with consistent criteria, focusing on assessing the local need for places and value for money. This included considering whether projects would provide a distinctive local offer or risk negatively impacting other local schools. The department reviewed evidence provided by trusts and local authorities, as well as latest published data on pupil place planning, to determine whether there is strong evidence of the continued need for additional places.We are proceeding with mainstream projects that meet the needs of communities, respond to demographic and housing demand, raise standards without undermining the viability of existing local schools and colleges or offer something unique for students who would otherwise not have access to it.In the Walsall and Bloxwich constituency, the decision has been taken to proceed with the Swift Academy, to address urgent local secondary sufficiency pressure.The department provides and retains responsibility for capital funding for the acquisition of sites and construction of free schools. The department also provides revenue funding, via project development grants, directly to proposers to cover essential non-capital costs prior to each school opening.In 2016, the department invited trusts to submit proposals for new free schools to be funded and delivered through the central free school programme as part of application Wave 12. Swift Academy (then called Blakenall Free School) was approved in April 2017 following an application from The Windsor Academy Trust. All applications were assessed against published selection criteria and geographical context.Local residents, interested parties and statutory bodies will be consulted prior to the school opening. As with all projects, Swift Academy will continue to be assessed on an ongoing basis to ensure it continues to meet the need for places and provides value for money.

With reference to the allocation of funding for the Swift Academy in Walsall, which body will be (a) allocated and (b) accountable for that funding.

On 15 December 2025, a Written Ministerial Statement was laid setting out outcomes of the mainstream free school pipeline review.All free school projects in scope were evaluated in line with consistent criteria, focusing on assessing the local need for places and value for money. This included considering whether projects would provide a distinctive local offer or risk negatively impacting other local schools. The department reviewed evidence provided by trusts and local authorities, as well as latest published data on pupil place planning, to determine whether there is strong evidence of the continued need for additional places.We are proceeding with mainstream projects that meet the needs of communities, respond to demographic and housing demand, raise standards without undermining the viability of existing local schools and colleges or offer something unique for students who would otherwise not have access to it.In the Walsall and Bloxwich constituency, the decision has been taken to proceed with the Swift Academy, to address urgent local secondary sufficiency pressure.The department provides and retains responsibility for capital funding for the acquisition of sites and construction of free schools. The department also provides revenue funding, via project development grants, directly to proposers to cover essential non-capital costs prior to each school opening.In 2016, the department invited trusts to submit proposals for new free schools to be funded and delivered through the central free school programme as part of application Wave 12. Swift Academy (then called Blakenall Free School) was approved in April 2017 following an application from The Windsor Academy Trust. All applications were assessed against published selection criteria and geographical context.Local residents, interested parties and statutory bodies will be consulted prior to the school opening. As with all projects, Swift Academy will continue to be assessed on an ongoing basis to ensure it continues to meet the need for places and provides value for money.

What plans her Department has to limit access to Oak National Academy's government funded resources to the UK with the use of geo-blocking.

The department is keeping the geo-restriction of Oak National Academy’s (Oak) resources under review. Oak does not promote or market its resources overseas.The department recently completed a new market impact assessment of Oak, which was published in September 2025, and is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/oak-national-academy-independent-review-and-market-impact-assessment.

What assessment she has made of the impact on UK publishers' exports of free access in overseas markets to UK government funded educational resources from Oak National Academy.

The department is keeping the geo-restriction of Oak National Academy’s (Oak) resources under review. Oak does not promote or market its resources overseas.The department recently completed a new market impact assessment of Oak, which was published in September 2025, and is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/oak-national-academy-independent-review-and-market-impact-assessment.