§ Mr. HobanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what criteria need to be met for a new faith school to open within the state sector. [153270]
§ Mr. Miliband[holding answer 6 February 2004]School Organisation Committees or Schools Adjudicators decide proposals for new schools on individual merit and in the light of local circumstances. They must have regard to statutory guidance which specifies the factors that have to be considered for all new schools including the effect on standards, need for places, costs, impact on community cohesion, views of interested parties etc. The guidance is available on the Department's website at www.dfes.gov.uk/schoolorg. Where a competition has been held for an additional secondary school, proposals are decided by the Secretary of State, taking into account comments by the SOC. While there are no factors that relate specifically to faith schools whether or not they are being considered as part of a competition or otherwise, the decision maker will take account of the level of parental demand for the type of school proposed.