City Technology Colleges (Hansard, 20 June 1990)

§ Ms. Armstrong
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the implications of his announcement of 8 June of changes in the criteria considered in approving city technology colleges on the proposal for a city technology college in Corby.

§ Mrs. Rumbold
The criteria for establishing city technology colleges have not changed. The plans for a city technology college in Corby are well advanced, and it is on course to open in September 1991.

§ Ms. Armstrong
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science at what stage are the plans for a city technology college in Corby; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mrs. Rumbold
Plans for the establishment of the city technology college are now well advanced. Detailed designs for the college building have been agreed and submitted to Corby district council for full planning consent. Management contractors have been appointed and a start on site is programmed for early July with completion planned to allow for a September 1991 opening.

§ Ms. Armstrong
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the money raised from the private sector for the city technology college in Corby.

§ Mrs. Rumbold
To date a total of £1.6 million of private sector sponsorship has been pledged; £1.1 million of this is in the form of a donation of land from the lead sponsor, Mr. Hugh de Cappell Brooke. A further £0.5 million has been pledged from other private sector sponsors, who wish to remain anonymous for the time being. The principal sponsor has agreed to underwrite any shortfall in the £1.99 million that is required from the private sector should further sponsorship not prove forthcoming.

§ Ms. Armstrong
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of the effect of the city technology college in Corby on surrounding schools.

§ Mrs. Rumbold
A city technology college in Corby will introduce healthy competition for pupils—as will any independent school. However, the sponsors' intentions are that the city technology college's catchment area should be drawn as wide as is practicable to minimise the impact on individual schools.