§ Mr. Jacques ArnoldTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the schools in Gravesham which have opted to become grant-maintained schools.
§ Mr. EggarThere are two schools in Gravesham operating as GM and a third has recently been approved to become GM in September. The total number of schools operating or approved for GM status in Kent is now 26. I am delighted that so many schools in this area will enjoy the benefits of grant-maintained status.
§ Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many pupils applied to go to Hendon grant-maintained school in the years beginning September 1991 and September 1992; and what was the corresponding number of applicants in 1987.
§ Mr. EggarThe Department does not collect centrally information on applications for admissions to grant-maintained schools. However, I understand from Hendon school that it has received 386 applications for admission in September 1992. At this time last year the school had 308 applications for admission to the school in September 1991. The corresponding number in March 1987 was 110.