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10 September 2026

Jailed academy finance boss banned from running schools after £200k fraud

Olakunle Oluwadare's fraud had 'serious detrimental effect' on school and its leader, says judge

Freddie Whittaker

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An academy trust finance boss who stole £200,000 from a deprived sixth form and falsified a DBS check to cover up a previous police investigation has been banned from running schools.

Olakunle May Emiola Oluwadare, also known as May Dare, was jailed after defrauding the Big Creative Academy between 2018 and 2021 while working as its chief financial officer.

The free school for 16 to 19-year-olds in east London focuses on preparing pupils for careers in the creative industries, with more than half of those on roll eligible for free school meals.

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