HC Deb 09 December 1992 vol 215 cc692-3W
Mrs. Angela Knight

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make a statement on the recent survey into the operation of of grant-maintained schools undertaken by the grant-maintained schools centre.

Mr. Patten

A survey of 103 grant-maintained schools, undertaken by the grant-maintained schools centre, was published on 27 November 1992. The survey demonstrated clearly the benefits of grant-maintained status, which enables schools to manage their own affairs and gives them the flexibility to target funding at classroom level.

The main findings of the survey were as follows:

  • more than 80 per cent. of the schools that responded reported increased pupil numbers at the beginning of the school year 1992–93;
  • more than three-quarters of schools reported an increase in teaching staff;
  • more than 90 per cent. of schools experienced no difficulty in recruiting or retaining governors;
  • 57 per cent. of secondary comprehensive schools and 40 per cent. of primary schools reported an increase in their provision for Special Needs.

Copies of the survey are available in the Library.