§ Mr. NormanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what effect the Government's proposals in the Education White Paper will have on the composition of the governing bodies of denominational schools when they change from grant-maintained status to foundation or aided schools. [14967]
§ Mr. ByersThe consultation document, "Framework for the Organisation of Schools", set out in detail our proposals for the composition of foundation and aided school governing bodies under the new schools framework.
Our consultation was genuine. We listened carefully to the views expressed and have agreed to make some amendments to the proposed composition of aided school governing bodies to accommodate a majority of two 522W foundation governors at primary schools and three at larger secondary schools. This will apply to denominational grant-maintained schools which choose to become aided. As set out in the Technical Consultation Paper, denominational grant-maintained schools which choose to become foundation will still have a significant number of foundation governors, but not a foundation majority. I am pleased to say that this overall approach has been welcomed by the churches.