HC Deb 09 May 2000 vol 349 c350W
Mr. Clappison

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress has been made with plans for gifted children to sit maths GCSE early under the Maths 2000 project. [121251]

Ms Estelle Morris

The National Primary Trust is developing Advanced Maths Centres to enable gifted pupils to take GCSE Mathematics in Year 6, following an out of school hours learning programme. The Trust is currently negotiating with 23 Excellence in Cities partnerships with a view to establishing 10 to 15 centres. Each would cater initially for up to 40 pupils from schools within Excellence in Cities areas. This initial cohort would take GCSE examinations in Summer 2001.