HC Deb 18 February 1994 vol 237 cc1015-6W
Mr. Rendel

To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what measures his Department has taken since 1992 to ensure that more schools in the inner cities have the opportunity to develop their technological expertise;

(2) what measures his Department has taken since 1992 to seek opportunities to open new city technology colleges in deprived inner-city areas.

Mr. Robin Squire

In 1992–93 and 1993–94, 70 secondary schools in inner London and metropolitan authority areas have received technology schools initiative awards, enabling them to enhance their technology facilities. Self-governing and voluntary-aided secondary schools, including those in inner cities, are eligible to become technology colleges, which will have the backing of private sponsors and receive Government grants to develop their teaching of technology, science and mathematics.

One city technology college has opened since 1992, the John Cabot CTC in Bristol, bringing the total to 15. No further CTCs are planned, but sponsors are welcome to come forward with new proposals.

The Department continues to provide substantial financial support for the use of information technology in schools, both in inner cities and elsewhere. Most recently we announced a £4.5 million scheme to equip some primary schools with CD-ROM equipment and software, with funding allocated to take account of the needs of urban areas.

Local Education Authority Sub-block 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95
City 5 to 10 0.124 0.097 0.090 0.094
11 to 15 0.176 0.066 0.101 0.101
16+ 0.398 0.380 0.032 0.031
Camden 5 to 10 20.246 21.475 23.975 24.152
11 to 15 19.312 20.136 23.245 22.977
16+ 11.071 12.235 5.622 5.350
Greenwich 5 to 10 35.906 38.868 40.168 42.898
11 to 15 37.160 40.732 41.430 43.179
16+ 13.624 15.555 6.729 7.055
Hackney 5 to 10 37.247 39.525 42.859 41.212
11 to 15 35.653 38.589 43.327 39.377
16+ 17.571 21.986 4.972 4.436
Hammersmith 5 to 10 16.610 18.177 20.220 19.909
11 to 15 16.329 18.276 19.298 18.683
16+ 9.577 11.579 2.837 2.337
Islington 5 to 10 26.384 29.051 30.858 32.033
11 to 15 25.471 28.968 30.647 30.587
16+ 13.174 15.936 2.255 2.571
Kensington 5 to 10 10.312 11.052 11.492 11.129
11 to 15 9.684 11.246 11.034 10.547
16+ 6.743 7.569 1.921 1.979
Lambeth 5 to 10 43.414 48.456 51.761 48.450
11 to 15 40.112 42.817 46.347 42.096
16+ 21.862 27.323 4.410 3.791
Lewisham 5 to 10 36.852 40.911 43.614 45.488
11 to 15 35.545 38.655 39.369 40.062
16+ 16.361 19.699 5.882 5.969