§ Mr. BreedTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many rural schools have received funding from the administrative support fund for small schools; how much funding was received; and on what it has been spent; [143127]
398W(2) how many schools have taken up funding from the administrative support fund for small schools; and for what purposes this money has been used. [143264]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisWe do not hold details of the number of schools that have benefited from this fund because the fund is allocated to local education authorities, which have an element of discretion in how they pass it on to schools.
In 1999–2000, a total of £20 million has been passed to schools and in 2000–01 a total of £55.925 million is being passed to schools through the administrative support fund for small schools.
The way in which the grant can be used has been extended to include the employment of more administrative staff, the provision of ICT equipment and training they need to do their jobs, the supply cover costs to release heads and teachers for them to do their professional paperwork and the purchase of bursarial services.