130 academies 're-brokered' between trusts

UPDATE June 15: Sir David Carter provides more details about number and breakdown of re-brokered academies: 119 total since Sept 2014, of which 68 from one multi-academy trust to another and 51 from single academy trust to MAT (BBC). This adds to the picture of increasing numbers of academies that are being re-brokered to new trusts after failing to make necessary improvements.

The figures were supplied by the DfE in response to a written Parliamentary question from Labour MP Jess Phillips. They show that 130 existing academies and free schools were re-brokered to new trusts between 2011 and 2016.

The figures show academies that have completed the process and the DfE added that 38 academies were currently in the process of moving. (I'm assuming this is in addition to the 49 're-brokered to other academy sponsors' in 2015/16 but waiting for clarification.)

In its written answers the DfE said it did not hold information on the number of academies which are awaiting re-brokerage. So, for example, the figures may not include the five Perry Beeches academies which the Guardian said 'are expected be “rebrokered” by the DfE and pass to a new chain, the West Midlands academies trust.'

DfE figures: Academic Year re-brokered to other academy sponsors

Academic Year	Re-brokered to other sponsors
2011/12	2
2012/13	2
2013/14	13
2014/15	64
2015/16	49
Total	130

New fund
 In its White Paper published in March, the Government said that it was setting up a fund to meet the costs of this process. The White Paper said: 'we are also establishing a new Intervention Fund for RSCs to commission school improvement support from within the system for failing and coasting schools. As most intervention will take the form of bringing in a new sponsor for an underperforming school, this fund will include activity to identify and attract new sponsors and encourage existing sponsors to grow, particularly in the areas where they are most needed; match sponsors to projects; and provide start-up funding for new sponsored academies and re-brokerage. When RSCs want to commission support for underperforming schools, they will generally do so through the teaching school hubs, although RSCs will be able to commission different support where they see fit.'

In November 2015 Jess Phillips asked about the cost of re-brokerage - however most of these are likely to relate to schools converting to academies.