§ Andrew SelousTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funds the rural school grant scheme has to distribute in 2001–02; and by what means these will be distributed. [37627]
§ John HealeyThe Department does not fund a rural schools grant scheme. However, rural schools can benefit from a number of programmes, including those that aim to help small schools. The school standards grant of £7,000 for 2001–02 is paid via local education authorities (LEAs) to schools with 100 pupils or less. There is also the small schools fund worth a total of £80 million a year, guaranteed until 2004. It is allocated to LEAs according to the number of primary and special schools with 200 pupils or less and secondary schools with 600 pupils or less. LEAs have to devolve at least 95 per cent. of the money to schools, either using the Department's threshold for small schools or by setting their own, lower thresholds. The funding is particularly intended to support collaborative projects, such as shared bursars or pooled
Table 2: DfEE communications with all primary or secondary schools 1 April to 6 June 2001 Page number April 2001 The National Numeracy Strategy: Professional Development Pack: 3 and 4 811 Parent governor representatives on local authority committees dealing with education: notification of guidance 1 Policy and Consultation Note on Formula Allocation 16 The School Organisation Proposals by the Learning and Skills Council for England Regulations 2001 15 Key Stage 1–3 Regulations 3 School Teachers' Pay 2001–02. (Confirmation of pay settlement) 7 May 2001 Key Stage 3 National Strategy: Framework for Teaching English: Years 7, 8 and 9—Management Summary 13 Response to the Consultation on School Governing Bodies (letter from Jacqui Smith) 2 Briefing note on organising teacher training 2 Developing Early Writing—The National Literacy Strategy (booklet and CD) 169 Spectrum 42 12 Survey of Absences in Schools 5
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Table 3: Secondary Page number April 2001: Parent governor representatives on local authority committees dealing with education: notification of guidance 1 Policy and Consultation Note on Formula Allocation 16 The School Organisation Proposals by the learning and Skills Council for England Regulations 2001 15 Key Stage 1–3 Regulations 3 School Teachers Pay' 2001–02 (confirmation of pay settlement) 7 Key Stage 3 National Strategy—Publication Summary 1 Key Stage 3 National Strategy—Letter from Secretary of State 2 May 2001 Key Stage 3 National Strategy: Framework for Teaching English: Years 7, 8 and 9—Management Summary 13 Response to the Consultation on School Governing Bodies (letter from Jacqui Smith) 2 Child Protection: Handling Allegations against Teachers and Other Staff: appointment of Coordinators 2 Briefing note on organising teacher training 2 Key stage 3 National Strategy: Framework for teaching English: Years 7, 8 and 9 75 Spectrum 42 12 Survey of Absences in Schools 5 Key Stage 3 National Strategy: Framework for Teaching Mathematics: Years 7, 8 and 9 Management Summary 11 administrative staff. An element of it can be spent on extending hours of existing administrative staff, buying in staff cover or investing in ICT equipment.