§ Mr. WaldenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list the independent schools that have entered the grant-maintained sector, excluding religious schools.
§ Mr. Robin SquireTo date, no independent schools have entered the grant-maintained sector under the provisions introduced last year by the Education Act 1993. A number of non-denominational independent schools have expressed an interest or sought further information.
§ Mr. WaldenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what action she is taking to encourage independent schools to enter the state sector of education.
§ Mr. Robin SquireRecent changes to the law now allow independent schools to apply to join the grant-maintained sector. Guidance on this has been made available to interested parties. All proposals which come forward are considered on their merits.