HC Deb 19 July 2004 vol 424 c93W
Glenda Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills with whom a school must consult should it wish to adopt foundation status; and how such consultations are funded. [184704]

Mr. Miliband

The Secretary of State's statutory guidance currently says that those bringing forward proposals for a change in the category of a school should consult all interested parties. These include:

  • any local education authority likely to be affected by the proposals;
  • other schools in the area;
  • parents and teachers in the area who may be affected by the proposals;
  • if proposals involve, or are likely to affect, a school which has a particular religious foundation, the appropriate religious body;
  • if the proposals affect the provision of full-time 16–19 education, the Learning and Skills Council.

Funding of consultations is the responsibility of those bringing forward the proposals.

The Five Year Strategy document proposes a simpler and quicker procedure for schools to change category. We intend that the new procedures should retain a requirement for consultation.