§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to develop provision for highly able pupils in schools. [127253]
§ Ms Estelle Morris[holding answer 27 June 2000]: From this September, the gifted and talented strand of Excellence in Cities will be improving provision in over 20 per cent. of maintained secondary schools, and a pilot scheme will be operating in some 400 primary schools. This summer's national programme of 500 summer schools for gifted and talented pupils aged 10–14 will extend to almost all local education authorities and Education Action Zones. Planned expenditure for this financial year is over £40 million. Future provision depends on the outcomes of the spending review.