HC Deb 01 November 2001 vol 373 cc772-3W
Mr. Laws

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her estimate is of the proportion of state secondary schools which will be specialist schools by the end of 2003; and if she will make a statement. [11475]

Mr. Timms

By September 2003 we expect there to be at least 1,000 operational specialist schools. This will take the proportion of maintained secondary schools which have specialist designation to 32 per cent. By 2005 we plan for at least 46 per cent. of secondary schools to have specialist status. Over time we want to ensure that all maintained secondary schools which want to and are ready have the opportunity to become a specialist school as part of their strategy for school improvement.