Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Local Secondary School Provision: Sittingbourne and Sheppey

Monday 17 July 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Gordon Henderson inquired about steps to ensure secondary age children in Sittingbourne and Sheppey can attend local schools due to issues with Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey.
  • The Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey is being transferred to a strong multi-academy trust due to inadequate Ofsted grading.
  • One thousand children are daily bussed from the Isle of Sheppey to Sittingbourne schools, leading to over-subscription issues in town schools.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gordon Henderson Con
Education
Context

Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey received an inadequate Ofsted grading, leading to discussions about its future within the Oasis Community Learning trust. Parents are currently sending their children to Sittingbourne schools despite concerns over the academy's quality.

Question

Whether her Department is taking steps to ensure that secondary age children in Sittingbourne and Sheppey constituency are able to attend a local school, given current issues with the Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey.

Answer from Nick Gibb

My hon. Friend and I have discussed education provision on the Isle of Sheppey many times over the years. Given the inadequate Ofsted grading for Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey, the school is now being removed from the Oasis Community Learning trust to a strong multi-academy trust.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific timeline or details on how uncertainties will be resolved

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Q2 Gordon Henderson Con
Education
Context

Currently, 1000 children are being bussed daily from the Isle of Sheppey to Sittingbourne schools due to parents' concerns about the quality of education at the Isle of Sheppey academy. This leads to over-subscription issues in Sittingbourne secondary schools.

Question

1000 children a day are currently bussed from the Isle of Sheppey to Sittingbourne schools because parents do not want their children attending the local academy, which causes over-subscription issues in town schools. The department is transferring the academy to a new multi-academy trust but with the end of summer term approaching, island parents have no idea whether this transfer will happen and what form it will take. What can he do to speed up the process and reduce uncertainties?

Answer from Nick Gibb

I pay tribute to my very hon. Friend for his passion for improving standards in schools in his constituency. The transfer of the Isle of Sheppey academy to a new multi-academy trust is a priority for the Department. A strong preferred sponsor has been found, and a proposal is being developed by them. Once those plans are completed, they will be put to parents before a final decision is taken by the trust and the Department on the academy transfer.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific timeline or measures for speeding up the process

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