HC Deb 18 June 2003 vol 407 c311W
Mr. Cameron

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) selective, (b) grammar and (c) independent schools have received funding under the Leadership Incentive Grant; and if he will make a statement. [119239]

Mr. Miliband

1402 mainstream secondary schools are eligible for the new Leadership Incentive Grant which began in April. Twenty nine of these are grammar schools which select wholly or mainly by ability. Independent schools are not eligible for the Grant.

One of the primary aims of the Leadership Incentive Grant is to stimulate and embed collaborative working to improve standards of teaching and learning amongst local groups of schools. As part of the initiative, schools are required to invest significant resources in working collaboratively. Groups of schools have developed collaborative plans which set out shared priorities for action. Collaborative plans are based upon a rigorous self and peer review of individual schools' strengths and weaknesses, identifying capacity which can be shared to raise standards across the community of schools.