City Technology Colleges (Hansard, 27 October 1986)

§ Mr. Evennett
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has received any representations to date from the teacher unions concerning city technology colleges; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mrs. Rumbold
My right hon. Friend has not received any such representations. Copies of the booklet on city technology colleges were sent to the teacher unions, and some have subsequently been in contact with the Department. My right hon. Friend and I believe that the teacher unions will wish to give this initiative careful consideration. We would be happy to discuss this with them, if they so wish.

§ Mr. Freud
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what differences in social composition he expects as between pupils participating in (a) the assisted places scheme and (b) the city technology colleges.

§ Mrs. Rumbold
The assisted places scheme is a national programme designed to be academically selective. It extends the opportunities for children from poorer backgrounds to enjoy the best of the secondary education in the independent sector. While the Department does not collect information on the social background of APS pupils, the sole aim of the scheme is to support those pupils who could not otherwise afford to take up a fee-paying place.
In contrast, city technology colleges are designed to offer a demanding education to pupils of varying backgrounds in a number of our cities. Selection will be by aptitude and commitment, and not through formal tests of academic ability. CTCs will be required to admit pupils representative of the community they serve.

§ Mr. Freud
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what effects the establishment of city technology colleges will have on the availability of science and technology teachers in the neighbouring maintained schools; and whether he will make a statement.

§ Mrs. Rumbold
City technology colleges will plainly reinforce the overall demand for science and technology teachers, without automatically guaranteeing an increase in supply. The effects in specific areas will depend on local circumstances, including the methods of staff recruitment used by CTC governing bodies, and the pay and conditions they offer. The Government believe that CTCs stand a good chance of attracting back into the profession teachers who have left it, and of stimulating new entrants.

§ Mr. Freud
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he proposes to allow the establishment of city technology colleges in the same localities and affecting the same catchment areas as schools operating the technical and vocational education initiative; and whether he will make a statement.

§ Mrs. Rumbold
The list of possible locations for city technology colleges includes a number of areas served by schools participating in the technical and vocational education initiative. In such areas, CTCs will complement the TVEI and will be expected to build on its achievements.

§ Mr. Freud
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the governing bodies of the proposed city technology colleges will have elected parent representatives amongst their number.
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§ Mrs. Rumbold
My right hon. Friend has made it clear that a major criterion in the selection of pupils for city technology colleges will be the commitment of their parents to full-time education or training up to the age of 18, to the distinctive characteristics of the CTC curriculum, and to the ethos of the CTC. Against this background, my right hon. Friend will be discussing the possibility of direct parental representation on the governing bodies with the promoters, who will have the controlling interest in them.

§ Mr. Freud
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimate his Department has made of the likely effect on technical and vocational education initiative schemes of the proposed city technology colleges; and whether he will make a statement.

§ Mrs. Rumbold
City technology colleges will offer some parents and children an alternative to maintained schools in their catchment areas. CTCs will not affect the planned extension of the TVEI and existing TVEI schools will continue to benefit under arrangements which have already been made. More generally, my right hon. Friend expects city technology colleges to provide new models for improving the quality of education in urban areas.

§ Mr. Freud
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to compulsorily purchase local education authority land and buildings for use as city technology colleges: and if he will make a statement.

§ Mrs. Rumbold
Private promoters will be responsible for finding and managing the premises used by city technology colleges. My right hon. Friend has no powers of compulsory purchase.

§ Mr. Freud
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what measures he proposes to ensure that entrants to city technology colleges will fully reflect the catchment area from which they are drawn.

§ Mrs. Rumbold
My right hon. Friend proposes to make it a condition of grant to the promoters of city technology colleges that they aim to secure an intake of pupils which is representative of the community they serve. The precise arrangements will be negotiated case by case.