§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to give recognition to schools with consistently high standards of achievement in both 1997 and 2000; and if he will make a statement. [154741]
§ Ms Estelle Morris[holding answer 20 March 2001]School Achievement Awards are being given for the first time this year. In this first round we are giving priority to improvement. We are also giving excellence awards to schools that achieved better results last year than most other schools in similar circumstances. The Department also recognises sustained achievement in other ways,
334Wnotably through the Beacon Schools scheme. There are now nearly 600 Beacon Schools across the country and the number is set to grow.