HC Deb 03 May 1994 vol 242 cc454-5W
17. Mr. Connarty

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many schools have voted to opt out of local education authority control under the Government's present scheme; and what is the average revenue grant given by the Government to such schools in the first year of their direct grant-aided status.

Mr. Robin Squire

To date parents at more than 1,100 schools in England have voted in favour of grant-maintained status.

In addition to the recurrent grants which grant-maintained schools are eligible to receive each year, schools new to the sector receive a grant to help meet transitional costs in the first year. In 1994–95, schools with less than two years' experience of managing a delegated budget will be eligible to receive a grant equivalent to £30,000 plus £30 per pupil. Other schools will be eligible to receive £20,000 plus £15 per pupil.

19. Mrs. Helen Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make a statement about the number of primary schools opting for grant-maintained status.

Mr. Robin Squire

To date, 445 primary schools have voted for grant-maintained status. The number of self-governing primary schools has more than trebled in the past year.

20. Mr. Clifton-Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidelines he has issued to local education authorities as to what would be a reasonable percentage deduction for the provision of central support services prior to the allocation of funds to grant-maintained schools.

Mr. Robin Squire

None.

22. Mr. Jim Marshall

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many parental ballots have taken place on the issue of grant-maintained status since September 1993; what were the results; and what were the figures for the previous 12 months.

Mr. Robin Squire

Since 1 September 1993, 217 ballots on grant-maintained status have closed, 137 of which resulted in votes in favour of self-government, and 80 in votes against. In the preceding 12 months, there were 703 ballots, 544 of which resulted in a yes vote and 159 in a no vote.