§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the community schools that in each of the last five years have become voluntary aided schools, with any resulting religious affiliation, and stating in each case the(a) estimated value of the land and buildings transferred from public ownership and (b) amount paid by the voluntary organisation for those assets. [62841]
§ Mr. MilibandCommunity schools were introduced by the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 with effect from 1 September 1999. Since that time the Department has been informed that proposals have been approved for the community schools in the tables to close and re-open as a voluntary aided school with a religious character, or to close and amalgamate with other voluntary aided schools with a religious character.
The Department is not routinely told of the value of the school assets transferred by an LEA to school trustees in connection with such proposals. Details are, however, provided of the purchase price agreed between the LEA and trustees where voluntary aided school grant has been agreed to assist trustees with a purchase.
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Community schools closed to become new voluntary aided schools Details LEA Hartlepool Community school name Henry Smith School VA school name St. Hild's CofE VA School Religious character Church of England Date of change 1 September 2001 Grant aided purchase cost (£) 700,000