HC Deb 09 July 2001 vol 371 cc389-90W
Mr. Hoban

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what meetings have been held with outside bodies to discuss the Green Paper 'Schools—Building on Success'. [2594]

Mr. Timms

Officials at my Department invited a cross-section of the main stakeholders to discuss the proposals in the Green Paper, "Schools—Building on Success". Meetings were held with representatives from all the teacher unions and associations, school governor associations, faith groups, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, the Local Government Association, and the Association of Chief Education Officers/Society of Education Officers.

Mrs. May

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to allow private sector companies to recruit and manage teaching staff in schools which are deemed to be(a) successful and (b) failing. [3112]

Mr. Timms

We proposed in the Green Paper "Schools—Building on Success" that new models would be developed to allow private or other sponsors to take responsibility for either weak, failing or successful schools. Where the private sector, or anyone else, has expertise that can help schools to improve we should use it. The forthcoming White Paper will set out the arrangements for doing so.

Mrs. May

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the meetings(a) she and (b) other ministers in her Department have had with representative bodies and others to discuss the Green Paper, 'Schools—Building on Success'. [3123]

Mr. Timms

Officials arranged and held meetings with organisations. My right hon. Friend was made aware of the issues raised. Meetings took place with a cross-section of the main stakeholders, including teacher unions and associations.

Mrs. May

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations she has received in respect of the Green Paper, 'Schools—Building on Success' [3124]

Mr. Timms

Officials have held meetings to discuss the proposals in the Green Paper with representatives from all the teacher unions and associations, school governor associations, faith groups, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, the Local Government Association, and the Association of Chief Education Officers/Society of Education Officers.

Written responses to the Green Paper consultation exercise have also been sent by a number of individuals and organisations, including those who attended the meetings.