§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when her Department invited the Church Schools Company to sponsor the proposed Moss Side City Academy; which other schools have been offered to the Church Schools Company; and what the criteria are for such approaches. [58077]
§ Mr. TimmsMy Department brings together potential sponsors and local education authorities (LEAs) who have expressed an interest in hosting an Academy. It is for the sponsor and LEA to determine whether to establish an Academy partnership. Manchester LEA and the Church Schools Company have been working together since October 2001 to establish a partnership for an Academy to replace Ducie High School in Manchester. The Church Schools Company is also sponsoring a new City Academy in Lambeth. The company has expressed interest in sponsoring other Academies and is in discussion with a number of authorities.