§ 22. Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has as to the number of schools who have indicated their intention to seek grant-maintained status; and if he will make a statement.
§ 26. Mr. SumbergTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools have now approached his Department with a view to seeking grant-maintained status.
§ 28. Mr. McLoughlinTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools have used the Education Reform Act 1988 to opt for grant-maintained status; and if he will make a statement.
§ 39. Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the number of schools which so far have made application for grant-maintained status.
§ Mr. ButcherEight schools have now published proposals for grant-maintained status, which my right hon. Friend will determine on their merits in due course. Parents have voted for publication of such proposals at 10 other schools, and further ballots are in preparation. The Department continues to receive numerous inquiries from parents and governors about grant-maintained status and the application procedures.
§ 41. Mr. FrenchTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the results of the recently held ballots of parents to determine whether they wish to seek grant-maintained status for their children's schools.
164W
§ Mr. ButcherParents at 21 schools have voted on whether to apply to my right hon. Friend for grant-maintained status. They voted in favour at 18 schools, nearly all by a very large majority. I am pleased to note that the average turnout in the ballots so far has been 72 per cent.
§ 50. Mr. HaselhurstTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what arrangements he has made for the handling of applications by schools for grant-maintained status.
§ Mr. ButcherWhere parents vote in favour of seeking grant-maintained status for a school, section 62(2) of the Education Reform Act 1988 requires the governing body to publish proposals accordingly. My right hon. Friend will consider such proposals on their merits after taking account of any objections received.