Vocational Qualifications in Schools GEST Funding

HL Deb 20 April 1995 vol 563 cc60-1WA

Baroness David

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many local education authorities made bids for funding under the GEST Vocational Qualification in Schools section (1995–96) and how many did not.

Lord Lucas

In England, Vocational Qualifications in Schools GEST for 1995–96 has two separate elements. Under part (a), which supports the provision of GNVQs in schools, all local education authorities were offered and accepted GEST funding allocations, although 12 asked to receive less than they were originally offered.

Part (b) of this grant was available for the Part One GNVQ initiative. LEAs were not invited to bid for GEST funding. Instead, they were asked to support bids to pilot the new qualification made by schools recommended by the vocational awarding bodies. Ninety-five schools in 50 LEAs which have been selected to pilot the Part One GNVQ in England from September will receive GEST support.

In Wales, five out of eight authorities bid specifically for funding to deliver vocational education in schools, as part of the GEST activity, The Support of the Curriculum 5–19; seven authorities made further bids for GEST funding for the GNVQ: Key Stage 4 Development Scheme.