§ Mr. Mark HobanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools from the independent sector have expressed interest in sponsoring city academies; and what proportion of city academies have already been sponsored by independent schools. [159787]
§ Mr. MilibandThree schools from the independent sector are already sponsoring Academies and a number of others have expressed an interest. The United Learning Trust (ULT), a subsidiary of the Church Schools Company, which runs a federation of eight independent schools, sponsors the Manchester Academy, which opened in September 2003. ULT also sponsor a further four Academies which are currently in development.