§ Sir John HuntTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the impact of her approval of a higher level of selection by academic ability in a number of Bromley schools on the availability of places to local children living in the immediate vicinity of such schools; and if she will make a statement. [11896]
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe statutory proposals published by Hayes grant-maintained school, Bromley, to select up to 25 per cent. of pupils on the basis of ability were approved by the Secretary of State in December 1996. The other non-selective secondary schools in Bromley264W have changed their admission arrangements this year to allow them to admit 15 per cent. of children on the basis of ability from September 1997. The Secretary of State's approval was not required for these changes.
The Funding Agency for Schools has the responsibility for ensuring a sufficient supply of secondary school places in the London borough of Bromley. The agency is involved in constant discussions with Bromley schools and the local education authority in order to ensure that there are enough school places for local children.