§ Lord Rotherwickasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether a specialist school has ever had its status revoked; and, if so, for what reason. [HL1105]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Baroness Ashton of Upholland)Since the specialist schools programme began some 33 schools have lost their specialist status.
Applicant schools seeking redesignation in their specialism are assessed against published criteria. Those applicants which do not meet the criteria in respect of the progress expected of specialist schools against the designation criteria and/or prepare new plans that do not meet the required standard are unsuccessful in their applications and are not redesignated.
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§ Lord Rotherwickasked Her Majesty's Government:
How they plan to improve teaching standards in specialist schools, which are reported to be similar to the national profile, despite the extra funding such schools receive. [HL1106]
§ Baroness Ashton of UphollandOfsted's 2001 report on specialist schools said that the overall profile of teaching was broadly in line with the national picture. This was based on visits to 46 specialist schools. However, the latest Ofsted evidence submitted to the Education and Skills Select Committee looked at the evidence of all secondary schools inspected during school year 2001–02. For the 74 specialist schools inspected, the proportion of teaching judged to be very good or better was 26 per cent compared with 8 per cent for non-specialist schools. The proportion of teaching judged to be good or better was 81 per cent in specialist schools compared with 74 per cent of nonspecialist schools.
The latest Ofsted figures suggest that significant progress is being made in specialist schools. This gives confidence that the key disciplines of the specialist schools programme (audit, objectives, target-setting and monitoring) will continue to help drive up standards, and the department will continue to monitor their progress.
§ Lord Rotherwickasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether all sports specialist schools are required to own adequate playing fields and equipment. [HL1107]
§ Baroness Ashton of UphollandSpecialist sports colleges are not required to own their own playing fields and equipment. However, they must have access to such facilities and equipment. In order to be designated as a specialist sports college, a school will need, through its application, to convince our independent assessors that it has use of the sports facilities necessary, including recreational areas, to support and deliver its sports college school and community development plans.