HC Deb 27 May 2004 vol 421 cc1698-9
4. Ann Winterton (Congleton) (Con)

If he will make a statement on the funding of secondary schools in Cheshire. [175992]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Skills (Mr. Stephen Twigg)

On the latest available figures, funding for secondary pupils in Cheshire increased by £630 per pupil in real terms between 1997–98 and 2003–04.

Ann Winterton

Is the Minister aware of the financial problems that smaller comprehensive schools that lack a sixth form and do not have access to social deprivation funding face because of the recurrent budget cuts in Cheshire? They are schools, I hasten to add, that have addressed staff overspend and now have a good balance and that have provided clear evidence of strict financial planning.

Mr. Twigg

I am aware of that and aware that the hon. Lady wrote to my hon. Friend the Minister for School Standards about Middlewich high school. Officials in the Department are considering her letter, including the enclosure from the head teacher of that school, and liaising closely with officials in the local education authority in Cheshire. We will get back to the hon. Lady with a full response shortly.

Mr. Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab)

My hon. Friend will know the tremendous progress that has been made in school developments in my constituency and the Secretary of State recently visited one of our superb new primary schools. However, we have a problem with the development of specialist schools. A particular school is finding it very difficult to get anywhere near the £50,000 target that it needs to raise. Will my hon. Friend look closely at the needs of Sutton high school and help me to work with it to find solutions to that problem?

Mr. Twigg

I am happy to give my hon. Friend that undertaking. At earlier stages in the specialist schools programme, a number of schools around the country pointed out the difficulties that they had with the £50,000 requirement. Although we believe that most schools should be able to fulfil that requirement, we have established the partnership fund, which might be a source of support for my hon. Friend's school. I shall be happy to keep in touch with him as that matter progresses.

Mr. George Osborne (Tatton) (Con)

Does the Minister agree that the funding mechanism restricts choice in places such as Cheshire? Each year, I receive many letters from parents who are bitterly disappointed because they cannot get their children—often along with other members of their primary school class—into popular local secondary schools. Does he agree that, given that those secondary schools often want to accept such children, we should let the money follow the pupil and allow the good secondary schools to expand?

Mr. Twigg

Of course, that is exactly what we do; indeed, we have provided the opportunity for the most successful schools to expand where such potential exists. But Labour Members want to ensure that every neighbourhood in every part of the country has the highest quality schools, so that that option is available for the many, not just for the few.