§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her estimate is of the number of(a) beacon schools, (b) academy schools, (c) specialist schools and (d) new faith schools in each year from 1997 to 2007; and if she will make a statement. [29207]
§ Mr. TimmsThe information is as follows:
Year Specialist schools Beacon schools September 1997 258 0 September 1998 330 75 September 1999 403 200 September 2000 536 550 September 2001 685 1,000
Year Faith schools opened in each calender year 1997 5 1998 9 1999 6 2000 4 2001 5 Targets for increasing the number of specialist schools and beacon schools are as of follows:
Year Specialist schools Beacon schools 2002 At least 830 1,150 2003 At least 1,000 1,350 2004 — 1,500 2005 At least 1,500 — At present no city academies are open. The target is to expand the city academy programme year on year and for at least 20 academies to be open by 2005.