§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the next round of applications for technology college status is to be invited; and what advice and guidance is to be offered to previous unsuccessful applicants to assist resubmission of their applications. [87630]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisThe closing date for the next round of applications for Technology College status is Friday, 8 October 1999. A new guidance document for schools wishing to apply in the autumn competition will be available to schools in July. Schools unsuccessful in the March competition will be sent the guidance automatically. These schools receive feedback on the main reasons why they were not approved and a wide 341W range of advice and support is available to applicant schools from the Technology Colleges Trust which is grant aided by the DfEE.