HC Deb 17 January 1997 vol 288 c406W
Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the schools involved in the raising school standards initiative and the criteria by which they were chosen. [10939]

Mr. Ancram

Secondary schools were identified for inclusion in the initiative by means of a performance index, which took account of both the number and level of GCSE and vocational qualifications over the three years 1990–91 to 1992–93. Primary schools were selected for invitation to participate in RSSI on the following basisonly those primary schools contributing 10 per cent. or more to the year eight intake of any participating secondary school were considered; these primary schools were ranked using a points system based on transfer grades, combined with the proportions of pupils entitled to free school meals; where this approach excluded a school which contributed 30 or more to the participating secondary school's year eight intake, this school was selected.

I will write to the hon. Member listing the participating schools.