§ Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what approaches have been made to her Department by groups wishing to(a) establish new faith schools and (b) bring independent faith schools into the maintained sector in the last 12 months.[12780]
§ Mr. TimmsSince 1 November 2000, 26 approaches have been made by groups inquiring about the possibility of establishing new faith schools in the maintained sector, including nine about bringing independent schools into the maintained sector. Previous experience suggests that relatively few inquiries become firm proposals to a school organisation committee to establish a new school.