To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what religious groups his Department has corresponded with in the past 12 months over possible sponsorship of (a) an academy and (b) a trust school.

Officials are in regular contact with the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church who are actively involved in the Academies programme. Discussions have also taken place about potential Academy and/or Trust School projects with the Eastern Orthodox Church and a number of organisations who have a religious ethos, including Oasis, the United Learning Trust and the Multi Faith Secondary School Trust and the Salvation Army.

The Focus Learning Trust has made a number of representations to Government concerning the establishment of an Academy or a Trust school in which the FLT would have a role. There are no current proposals to establish any such Academy or Trust school.