§ 18. Mr. Anthony CoombsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress he can report on applications for, and agreement of, grant-maintained status.
§ Mr. EggarThere are currently 168 schools approved for grant-maintained status, of which 143 are operating. Another 76 schools have published proposals, 43 schools are committed to publish proposals following a yes vote. A further 49 schools are committed to holding a ballot of parents on grant-maintained status.
§ 22. Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many school applications for grant-maintained status are now in the pipeline; how many other school reorganisation applications are currently before him; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarA total of 168 schools are now in the process of applying for grant-maintained status, with published proposals, yes votes or ballots pending. There are currently some 118 proposals for school reorganisation under section 12 or 13 of the Education Act 1980 before the Secretary of State for decision. This figure excludes proposals which are expected to be determined by local education authorities. Where there are conflicting proposals, my right hon. and learned Friend is obliged to consider one set of proposals against the other and then decide on the grant-maintained proposals first, followed by the proposals from the local education authority and the governors of the voluntary-aided schools.