HC Deb 28 January 1997 vol 289 cc154-5W
Mr. Sutcliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what are the criteria for bids for the technology college initiative. [13101]

Mrs. Gillan

The criteria for applications for technology college designation are set out in "Technology College Applications: A guide for Schools". A copy of this publication is available in the Library.

Mr. Sutcliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many schools that were successful under the technology college initiative were members of the Technology Colleges Trust. [13095]

Mrs. Gillan

Of the 180 technology colleges so far operating or announced, 154 are members of the Technology Colleges Trust.

Mr. Sutcliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what feedback was given to those schools whose bids for the technology college initiative failed to be accepted. [13096]

Mrs. Gillan

Letters to schools unsuccessful in their applications for designation as technology colleges give a general indication of the reasons. Schools which contact the Department are given some further feedback but the Department does not enter into detailed discussion about applications.

Mr. Sutcliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the role of the Technology Colleges Trust in advising on submissions for the initiative. [13097]

Mrs. Gillan

Applicants for technology college designation may request advice from the Technology Colleges Trust about seeking sponsorship, drawing up development plans and preparing applications. This carries no commitment that a school's application will be approved or that it will be given preference over applications from other schools. Information about this is set out in the guidance document available to all schools from the Department.

Mr. Sutcliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many grant-maintained schools were awarded technology college initiative status. [13098]

Mrs. Gillan

Of the 180 technology colleges so far operating or announced, 92 are grant-maintained schools.

Mr. Sutcliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the geographical distribution of schools awarded the technology college initiative status. [13099]

Mrs. Gillan

An analysis by Government office area of the 180 technology colleges so far operating or announced is given in the table.

Government office region Number of technology colleges
Eastern 18
East midlands 18
London 18
Merseyside and north-west 33
North-east 12
South-east 32
South-west 17
West midlands 19
Yorkshire and Humberside 13
Total 180

Mr. Sutcliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many schools achieved technology college initiative status. [13100]

Mrs. Gillan

One hundred and fifty-one schools are now operating as technology colleges under the specialist schools programme. A further 29 technology colleges were announced on 3 January to operate from September 1997.