HC Deb 17 October 2001 vol 372 cc1231-2W
Mr. Willis

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools bidding for specialist status under the specialist schools programme were supported by donations from the Technology Colleges Trust as part of the qualifying sponsorship criteria in the years(a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01. [7689]

Mr. Timms

The Technology Colleges Trust does not itself make donations to applicant schools but raises funds from other donors. Detailed information on the sponsorship included in school applications for specialist status in 1999–2000 and 2000–01 is not readily available and can be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, we do have an analysis of applications for Arts, Technology and Language College status in June and October 1999 and in March 2000, which shows that 37 per cent. of applicants included sponsorship arranged through the Technology Colleges Trust.

Mr. Willis

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much the planned expansion of the specialist school programme depends on the ability of the Technology Colleges Trust to support financially schools that are unable to find some or all of the required sponsorship. [7690]

Mr. Timms

The Technology Colleges Trust seeks at national level to raise sponsorship that can be allocated to schools intending to apply for specialist schools designation. Many specialist school applications include elements of sponsorship raised in this way. This is one source of sponsorship and has been part of the initiative since it began in 1994 and we expect it to remain so. Funds raised at national level help to ensure that schools are not excluded from the programme because of particular local difficulties in raising sponsorship.

Mr. Willis

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools have failed to achieve specialist school status through their inability to raise the level of sponsorship that is required. [7691]

Mr. Timms

Our network of 685 specialist schools shows that applicant schools across the country, including those from rural and inner city areas, have raised the sponsorship required, but we are aware that some schools find this more difficult than others. It would not be practicable to make an estimate of the number of schools that have been unable to raise funds but we have taken steps to ensure all schools have a reasonable opportunity to do so. In 1999, the sponsorship requirement was halved to £50,000 and my Department grant aids the Technology Colleges and Youth Sport Trusts to provide advice to schools about raising sponsorship and raise funds themselves to support applicant schools. We will keep the sponsorship criteria under review.

Mr. Willis

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to change the sponsorship requirement for schools wishing to join the specialist schools programme. [7692]

Mr. Timms

There are no current plans to relax or remove the sponsorship requirement except that we are considering the position in relation to very small secondary schools. We will keep the situation under review.