§ Baroness Davidasked Her Majesty's Government:
What will be the total amount of money available for the Basic Curriculum and Assessment section of the GEST (Grants for Education Support and Training) Grant for School Effectiveness in 1995–96, the contribution from the Government and the matching funding required of schools/local authorities (inclusive of grant maintained schools).
Lord LucasThe GEST programme in England in 1995–96 includes support of £119.2 million for the School Effectiveness grant. Within this, it is for schools to decide how much to devote to Basic Curriculum and Assessment. The Department for Education pays grant on this expenditure at the rate of 60 per cent. (£71.52 million), with local education authorities providing the remaining 40 per cent. (£47.68 million).
In Wales, the total planned expenditure in 1995–96 for the GEST activities covering the Basic Curriculum 30WA and Assessment is £15.2 million. The Welsh Office pays grant on this expenditure at 60 per cent. (£9.12 million), with local authorities providing the remaining 40 per cent. £6.08 million).
Grant-maintained schools are supported by an equivalent grant, Special Purpose Grant (Development), paid at the rate of 100 per cent., which they must spend on activities equivalent to the GEST programme. The allocation of the grant among these activities is at the discretion of the schools.