To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the oral answer to the hon. Member for North East Milton Keynes of 30 November 2009, Official Report, column 827, on Radcliffe school, whether the decision on Academy status for the Radcliffe school is the responsibility of Milton Keynes council; what involvement he has in such decisions; and if he will make a statement. (303970)

[holding answer 3 December 2009]: Academies are always jointly commissioned with the relevant local authority and with its support. Once agreement has been reached the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families is responsible for approving the decision to transform a school into an academy, allowing the project to progress to the next stage of the development process.