The Department for Education (DfE) has addressed concerns over its free school initiative in Walsall after criticism from the area’s Member of Parliament.
Valerie Vaz, MP for Walsall and Bloxwich, previously accused the project of resembling a ‘Covid VIP lane’, suggesting preferential treatment in its approval.
Until now, the DfE had not responded to inquiries from the Local Democracy Reporting Service regarding the scheme. The proposed secondary school, approved by the DfE in 2017, is set to be managed by the Windsor Academy Trust.
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Reedswood Park in Walsall is the preferred location for the £50 million project, which aims to offer over a thousand secondary and sixth form places for local students.
Speaking in Westminster last month, Ms. Vaz questioned the transparency and accountability of the education investment area board established in 2022. She highlighted a potential conflict of interest, noting that a member of the Windsor Academy Trust was previously part of this now-disbanded board. Ms. Vaz stated, “This smacks of the Covid VIP lane.”
In response, the DfE clarified that the Windsor Academy Trust’s application went through a stringent and transparent process, designed to prevent favoritism. They emphasized that the education investment area board has no involvement in free school delivery. The approval of the free school predates the current CEO’s appointment and the formation of the board.
Ms. Vaz argued there is insufficient demand for the new £50 million school, pointing out that other local schools lack funding and that the proposed site is unsuitable. She questioned why local headteachers and governors’ opinions have been overlooked and whether officials are pushing the project against government policy before seeking the Secretary of State’s approval.
The DfE assured that value for money and local need are priorities when selecting sites for free schools, with thorough evaluations conducted before any construction contracts are signed.
A spokesperson for Windsor Academy Trust affirmed their commitment to following all Department for Education guidelines throughout the application process since 2017.