A TEACHING union today called on the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) to open an investigation into two failed free schools in Greater Manchester.

In a letter to SFO head Lisa Osofsky, National Education Union (NEU) leaders Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney called for an inquiry into the Collective Spirit Free School and the Manchester Creative Studio School.

Collective Spirit Free School, which is in the Chadderton area of Oldham, was rated “inadequate” in every area during its first Ofsted inspection in May 2016.

After allegations of malpractice and calls for its closure by local Labour MP Jim McMahon, the school was finally shut in 2017.

Manchester Creative Studio School, which was based in the Ancoats area of north Manchester, closed in early 2018.

Despite receiving emergency government funding of more than £400,000, the school failed to recruit more than 40 pupils.

The government has spent at least £20 million on studio schools which have either closed or never opened.

Mr Courtney said: “The government has established almost 10,000 state-funded academies, free schools, studio schools and university technical colleges that operate outside of local authority oversight and accountability.

“It is important that there are robust mechanisms in place to ensure that children and young people in these schools are receiving a high-quality education and that governance and financial arrangements are robust.

“It is clear that there were failings on a grand scale at these schools, yet the Department for Education’s own agency has been unable to uncover the full extent of these failings. It’s now time for a full and independent investigation.”

The NEU letter echoes Mr McMahon’s demands for an investigation into the schools.

Mc McMahon said: “I believe only an investigation lead by the SFO can unearth the scale of the alleged fraud, in order to repair public trust and rebalance the injustice felt by parents and former pupils.

“Those involved at both of the failed institutions were placed in positions of public trust. They were responsible for the provision of statutory education services and for significant public expenditure.

“The impact that these individuals have had on the education of our children cannot be overstated and that must now be at the forefront of our minds.”