§ 25. Mr. RichardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many schools in Wales have expressed an interest in grant-maintained status; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsSome 200 schools across Wales, from both the primary and secondary sectors, have shown an interest in grant-maintained status. In response to this interest from schools the Welsh Office has arranged a series of three conferences to provide governors and head teachers with factual information about grant-maintained status.
At 1 September this year there were 11 grant-maintained schools. A further two schools have been approved to become grant-maintained from 1 January 1994. Applications from a further three schools are currently before me for consideration and a number of other schools are in the process of balloting parents.
Arrangements included in the Education Act 1993 will simplify the GM process and I expect the number of grant-maintained schools in Wales to increase significantly.