§ Mr. HobanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding has been allocated to the Expanding Successful and Popular Schools programme; how many applications have been made for funding under this programme; and how many applications have been successful. [159788]
§ Mr. MilibandIn August 2003, the Department announced that incentive and support funding for the expansion of successful and popular secondary schools would be available from 2004–05. To date, we have 1359W received seven applications for funding under this programme, two from local education authorities (LEAs) and five directly from schools.
Provision of this funding is dependent on agreement to statutory proposals to expand a school by the local School Organisation Committee (SOC), or failing agreement by the SOC, by the Adjudicator. We are not aware that any of these seven proposals has yet been determined.
Where applications have the support of the LEA and are agreed, we will provide incentive funding of £500,000 (£400,000 if the school does not have a sixth form). Where applications are riot supported by the LEA, we will provide the full funding required. We are currently working with the five schools in this position to determine the level of support needed to provide 21st century buildings for the additional pupils.