HC Deb 19 September 2002 vol 390 cc115-6W
Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average time spent in special measures by English(a) secondary and (b) primary schools has been in the last five years. [73040]

Mr. Miliband

The average time spent by schools in special measures for the last 5 years has been 21 months for primary schools and 29 months for secondary schools.

The Government is committed to ensuring that the number of schools placed in special measures continues to decline and that all schools in special measures should be turned around in two years or closed. Further options to ensure more rapid turnaround of schools were proposed in the White Paper Schools: Achieving Success in 2001 and new measures are included in the Education Act 2002 to enhance and widen the intervention powers of LEAs and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average change in annual revenue budget was for an English(a) secondary and (b) primary school placed in special measures over the last five years. [73039]

Mr. Miliband

Funding support for schools placed in special measures is provided through a targeted element of the Standards Fund school improvement grant. LEAs receive direct funding support of £70,000 for each secondary school placed in special measures and £25,000 for each primary school to support schools with the implementation of their post-OFSTED action plan and to secure necessary improvements. The amount of additional support devolved to each school in special measures is a decision for the LEA.

Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many English(a) secondary and (b) primary schools have been put into special measures in each of the last five years. [73041]

Mr. Miliband

The number of schools placed in special measures for the each of the last five years is:

Secondary Primary
1997–98 42 210
1998–99 30 141
1999–2000 38 168
2000–01 23 100
2001–02* 19 94

*Figures for this year may change, pending final corroborations.

Over this period, a total of 912 schools have recovered from special measures. The number of schools in special measures rose from 326 at the beginning of 1997–98 to a peak of 515 at the end of that academic year. The total has now reduced to 273.