Education technology and publishing organizations have expressed their concerns over the government’s perceived inaction during discussions regarding the Oak National Academy.
Industry representatives have described their recent interactions with the government as encountering a ‘wall of silence’.
A judicial review concerning the government’s transition of Oak National Academy into a government quango has resumed due to the perceived detrimental effects on competition within the sector.
The British Education Suppliers Association (BESA), the Publishers Association, and the Society of Authors were granted permission two years ago to pursue a legal examination of the controversial changes.
They contended that the government’s actions threaten their livelihood, framing the change as an “unlawful state subsidy” that jeopardizes competition.
Prior to a trial that was set to take place last year, the organizations agreed to pause their legal actions while engaging in discussions with the Department for Education.
Failed Negotiations
However, as noted in their recent announcements, the groups have decided to reignite the legal proceedings, citing a lack of progress during negotiations. “Over the last 10 months, we have watched Oak’s resources increase, further harming commercial providers and educational authors,” they stated.
This update follows the release of an independent review of Oak, which suggested changes to the academy’s branding and visibility could help clarify its role and operations moving forward.
Review leader and LocatED CEO, Lara Newman, highlighted that Oak functions on a lean operational model, yet recommended a modest increase in investment to maximize its potential and improve the government’s return on investment.
Surge in Usage
With curriculum reviews and significant leadership changes on the horizon, Newman emphasized this as an opportunity to align the organization’s functions with the independent review’s outcomes.
Oak is also pressed to promptly release materials related to relationships, sex, and health education once updated statutory directives are in place to better engage students.
Furthermore, a new market assessment report suggests that since Oak’s inception, the domestic ed tech sector has seen challenges with investment, further emphasizing the competitive landscape.
Data indicates that from July 2024 to February 2025, Oak was utilized by 182,775 educators—a staggering 206% increase from the same timeframe in the previous year.
BESA, the Publishers Association, and the Society of Authors reiterated that while the legal stasis was initially agreed upon to evaluate findings and continue dialogue, they felt compelled to pursue legal action after facing a lack of transparency and responsiveness.
Encountering a ‘Wall of Silence’
They conveyed their frustration, asserting they were confronted with an “unresponsive government,” which presented significant implications just before the resumption of legal proceedings. They criticized the ongoing lack of engagement from officials to expose viable strategies to consider their concerns.
Concerns about public spending and the justification for the growth of an arm’s-length entity remain unanswered, they claimed. They cautioned that if the review’s suggestions were implemented, Oak could become even more closely integrated with the Department for Education, Ofsted, and Ofqual.
The groups emphasized that government policies should empower teachers and schools rather than impose a central template that could neglect local contexts and diverse needs.
The Department for Education expressed disappointment over the decision to restart legal action, labeling it unnecessary and costly.
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