HC Deb 18 January 2002 vol 378 cc519-20W
Mr. Laws

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what criteria will be used in determining which schools are awarded launchpad status; and if she will make a statement. [27049]

Mr. Timms

The aim is to include a broad cross-section of primary and secondary schools from across the country, together with a small number of special schools since it is vital that lessons learned from the project have credibility and wide application. We shall be taking into account factors such as school size and location, as well as securing participant schools showing a range of pupil attainment and teacher turnover. We shall want to include schools which are already developing innovative practice and we also plan to ensure there is representation of some in challenging circumstances.