HC Deb 22 May 2002 vol 386 cc357-8W
Mr. Willis

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what approaches she has made to individuals, organisations and companies to sponsor academies and city academies; and what criteria are used to determine such approaches. [58076]

Mr. Timms

My Department has a dedicated Business Development Unit working with the corporate sector, to help build effective partnerships with companies. The Business Development Unit is supporting the Academies Unit to help identify potential sponsors for academies. My Department brings together these potential sponsors—many of them philanthropic individuals—and local education authorities (LEAs) who have expressed an interest in hosting an academy. It is for the sponsor and LEA to determine whether to establish an academy partnership.

Mr. Willis

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what arrangements she has made to ensure that private sponsors of academies and city academies do not have a majority of places on the governing body of a school. [58075]

Mr. Timms

Governing bodies of academies will comprise sponsors, or their representatives, and other stakeholders, including staff, parents and an LEA representative. It would be possible for governors appointed by sponsors to be in the majority. As trustees all governors of academies will have a duty to act in the interests of the academy.

Mr. Willis

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what powers and benefits can be received where an organisation or individual provides substantial sponsorship to an emerging school. [58074]

Mr. Timms

Sponsors of academies are expected to play a key role in the strategic leadership of the schools they support. Sponsors—whether individuals or organisations—can derive no financial or other material benefit from their involvement with the schools.