§ Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to ensure that voluntary aided schools and LTCs are included in the London wide admissions programme; and if he will make a statement. [110218]
§ Mr. Stephen TwiggLEAs have been given a statutory duty to co-ordinate the admissions process for all maintained schools in their area; this is first mandatory for applications for admission to schools in September 2005. From that time, all maintained schools —including voluntary aided schools—will have a duty to comply with the co-ordination 'scheme' for their area.424W I assume that by LTCs', you are referring to City Technology Colleges (CTCs). As independent schools, CTCs are not bound by admissions legislation, but my Department has written to each of them to strongly encourage their participation in coordinated arrangements.