HL Deb 20 January 1998 vol 584 cc232-3WA
Baroness Blatch

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the status of the William Morris Academy in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and the statutory framework under which it operates; and in particular what are:

  1. (a) the arrangements for capital and recurrent funding;
  2. (b) the costs which have been incurred in setting up the academy, including the provision of the premises, administrative costs and professional and legal fees, and the funds from which they were met;
  3. (c) the complement of (i) teaching staff and (ii) non-teaching staff, and by whom they are employed;
  4. (d) the status of the principal;
  5. (e) the arrangements for the admission of pupils appeals against admission decisions, exclusions and appeals against permanent exclusions;
  6. (f) the aggregate examination results, subject by subject, achieved by pupils attending the academy on roll in January 1997 (Form 7 count); and
  7. (g) the arrangements for inspecting the academy.
[HL21]

The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone)

As the noble Baroness is aware, the William Morris Academy was established in September 1994 by Hammersmith and Fulham Local Education Authority. The Secretary of State considers that the authority has no power to establish or maintain this institution. The control of the academy, and all aspects of its operation, are matters for the authority. The previous Secretary of State invited the Further Education Funding Council to consider the possible incorporation of the academy as a further education institution. The outcome of that consideration is awaited. In the meantime, the academy stands outside the statutory framework for schools and FE establishments, and the normal processes that apply to the collection of information. It is also outside the scope of the School Inspections Act 1996. So far as examination results are concerned, the Department for Education and Employment does not publish this information in the form requested. I will write to the noble Baroness to let her know the Secretary of State's decision in the light of the FEFC's advice.