HC Deb 08 June 1990 vol 173 cc718-9W
Mr. Straw

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will set out the criteria which his Department applies in considering requests for the establishment of new voluntary-aided schools.

Mr. MacGregor

Under section 13 of the Education Act 1980 a voluntary body of any religious persuasion which wishes to establish a new voluntary aided school, whether or not the school already exists as an independent school, is free to seek the approval of the Secretary of State, after consulting the relevant local education authority. When making the decision whether to approve an application for voluntary-aided status, the Secretary of State considers each case on its merits, taking account of a number of factors, including:

  1. (i) the overall need for school places in the area, as well as denominational need;
  2. (ii) whether the proposal has the support of the LEA, which would be responsible for the cost of maintaining the VA school;
  3. (iii) whether the premises are up to standard;
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  4. (iv) whether the teachers are suitably qualified and the school is able and willing to deliver the national curriculum and to provide equal opportunities for boys and girls;
  5. (v)whether the promoters are able to meet the expenses which would fall to them.

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