Grant-maintained Schools (Hansard, 17 February 1993)

§ Mr. Sweeney
To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proposals he has to obtain the power to sanction grant-maintained status to new schools established in(a) redundant local education authority premises and (b) redundant non-LEA premises.

§ Mr. Forth
It will be for promoters of new grant-maintained schools to provide premises. When determining such an application under the provisions of the Education Bill currently before the House, the Secretary of State will take into consideration the suitability of any premises. This would apply equally whether or not the premises were in LEA ownership.

§ Mr. Sweeney
To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proposals he has to obtain the power to award grant-maintained status to new schools whose intake is selected on the grounds of(a) academic ability or (b) artistic, sporting, scientific or other ability.

§ Mr. Forth
The Education Bill currently under consideration in the House will enable the Secretary of State to award grant-maintained status to new schools that select on the grounds of academic ability or selection by specialism.

§ Mr. Sweeney
To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proposals he has to obtain the power to allow an existing independent school company to establish a new grant-maintained school in(a) redundant local education authority premises and (b) non-LEA premises.

§ Mr. Forth
It would be for the promoters of an existing independent school company to provide the premises for a new grant-maintained school. If they wished to use the redundant LEA premises for their new GM school, this would be a matter between them and the local education authority. If they wished to establish the school in a non-LEA premises, they would be free to propose this.
The Government are considering bringing forward an amendment to the Education Bill to make it clear that promoters of existing independent schools, as well as voluntary bodies, will be able to seek grant-maintained status.