Grant-maintained Schools

HC Deb 01 June 1998 vol 313 cc139-40W

Mr. Laurence Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangements he is making to transfer grant-maintained schools back to the control of LEAs; when he expects this process will be completed; and if he will make a statement. [43808]

Mr. Byers

We are not proposing to transfer grant-maintained schools back to the control of LEAs. The School Standards and Framework Bill currently before Parliament provides for a new framework for the organisation of schools, which will accommodate all existing schools, including grant-maintained schools. It will strike a better balance between the discretion of schools to manage their own affairs and the role of Leash in supporting and challenging schools in raising standards. The Government propose to introduce the new framework in September 1999.