Calls for public inquiry into handling of free school fraud case
The National Union of Teachers has called for an inquiry into how the government handled criminal allegations against Kings Science Academy after its founder and two staff were found guilty of fraud.
The Free school’s founder and former principal, along with two other staff members, were found guilty of pocketing about £150,000 from DfE grants.
Now there are calls into the way the Kings science academy was set up and the DfE’s handling of the allegations, which were not investigated for six months after they were first reported.
The NUT general secretary, Kevin Courtney, said the case highlighted “failures at the highest level in the Department for Education”.
He added: “It is disgraceful that these three individuals pocketed public money intended for the education of Bradford children for their own personal gain. They have been convicted unanimously and will have to pay a heavy price for their fraudulent activity.”
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