§ 74. Mr. HoltTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will consider establishing another city technology college in Langbaurgh in east Cleveland.
§ Mrs. RumboldCity technology colleges are focusing on urban areas because it is there that the aspirations and expectations of pupils and parents are, generally, furthest from fulfilment. Macmillan college, the Teesside city technology college, already provides for children in the inner city area of Middlesborough. There are no plans to establish a further city technology college in the vicinity.
§ 96. Mr. GrocottTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the numbers of representations he has received(a) in favour and (b) against the establishment of a city technology college in Telford.
§ Mrs. RumboldMy right hon. Friend has received 36 letters following the announcement by the Mercers' Company of its intention to sponsor a city technology college in Telford. Thirty-one are against the proposal and five sought further information.
42. Mr. Robert G. HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of the contribution of city technology colleges to educational practice in schools and to inner-city areas in which they are situated.
§ Mrs. RumboldIt is a key aim of the city technology college programme that the colleges should make a major214W contribution to the development of higher standards in all schools. It is too early yet to evaluate their impact in detail but it is already clear that they are immensely popular with parents and pupils. With three city technology colleges now open, and eight more with firm opening dates, we are now looking very carefully at how the good practices they are pioneering can best be disseminated.