AN OFFICIAL investigation into the merger of two London schools has found that hundreds of thousands of pounds was wrongly paid to consultants – and that one of them was chair of trustees.

The conflict of interest scandal involves the creation of a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) in Brent, amalgamating Woodfield school and The Village.

Concerns about financial management at Woodfield were raised by Hank Roberts, president of Brent National Education Union.

This led to a probe by the government’s Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).

Mr Roberts has welcomed ESFA’s new report, saying:  “As a whistleblower I feel totally vindicated by the findings.”

“The bankrupt academy system is an open invitation to help yourself to school funds,” he warned.

The report found that “one of the consultants was appointed to the role of chair of trustees” for 2015 to 2017.

“During this period therefore, any transactions with the consultant’s company ... should have been considered related party transactions and the at cost and subsequent reporting requirements would apply,” it adds.

However, “no related party transactions were reported in the 2016/17 accounts and the services were not provided at cost,” it also says.

A spokesperson from the Trust told the Morning Star that: “Woodfield School accepts the findings of the ESFA report. 

“The school has been working hard to address the issues and will continue to do so, in order to meet all the requirements and recommendations set out by the ESFA and in accordance with regulations.”

But, campaigners are concerned that people who failed to stop the scandal remain in positions of power at the school.

They say that the acting executive headteacher has “proved herself inadequate to the task of halting this corruption. If she won’t put the interests of state education above her own, she should go.”

There is also anger that Brent’s Labour council has not done more to oppose academies. 

Mr Roberts said: “Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, and Sandra Kabir, chair of governors of The Village were warned that there were questions over the finances at Woodfield a year ago, yet neither expressed opposition to the proposal that Woodfield and The Village become an MAT.

“Now is the time they should show leadership and call for this proposal to be dropped rather than support this disaster in waiting.”

A DfE spokesperson said: “When we see issues of underperformance we will not hesitate to take swift action. We are taking a number of steps to rapidly improve Woodfield School’s  financial management and to strengthen governance at the school.
 
“We have agreed a clear action plan with the trust along with a timeline to resolve all the issues.”