§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many headteachers are eligible to apply to be considered for early retirement under his proposals; and how many retirement packages can be provided from within the funding allocated for the scheme; [101395]
(2) who will determine whether headteachers applying for the Government's early retirement package meet his Department's criteria of not being able to carry forward the major changes envisaged in improving education; and how applicants will be judged against the criteria. [101393]
§ Ms Estelle Morris£10 million of Standards Fund money has been made available for 2000–01 to support the early retirement of headteachers. A limit of £50,000 has been placed on the support available in any individual case. This will allow for at least 200 retirements to be supported by the scheme. Local Education Authority employers will determine which of their headteachers appear to meet the scheme's criteria and prioritise those for whom they are applying for support. This Department and OFSTED will consider the evidence provided by LEAs in support of each application and announce during January which applications have been approved.