HC Deb 17 June 1992 vol 209 cc541-2W
Mr. Colvin

To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what plans he has to direct further resources towards the technology schools initiative network of schools; what are the differences in the criteria met by those schools from those of city technology colleges and whether the TSI network of schools will be given the opportunity to became full city technology colleges;

(2) if he will make a statement on the Government's future support towards recently designated technology schools within the technology schools initiative; and what steps these schools themselves can take to ensure that support.

Mr. Forth

The Government have announced capital allocations totalling £25 million in 1992–93 to support the technology teaching plans of 100 schools selected as a result of competitive bidding. These schools retain their existing status as grant-maintained, voluntary-aided, county or voluntary-controlled schools; in this respect they differ from city technology colleges established under the Education Reform Act (1988). The Government plan to expand and develop the network of schools supported by the technology schools initiative in future years.

Mr. Colvin

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if the technology schools initiative provision for the Southampton area is to be maintained; and what is the financial commitment for 1992–93.

Mr. Forth

The following school in the Southampton area was selected for support under the technology schools initiative in 1992–93.

Applemore School—£250,000 allocation.

Mr. Colvin

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps a local education authority school would need to take to achieve levels of provision equal to those of city technology colleges; how many of the existing TSI schools operate within the local education authority system; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Forth

Of the 100 schools selected for capital support in 1992–93 under the technology schools initiative, 70 are maintained by local education authorities of which eight are voluntary aided schools. The recurrent funding of these schools is unaltered by their selection within the technology schools initiative. The funding of city technology colleges is determined separately.