HC Deb 08 March 2004 vol 418 c1360W
Mr. Gibb

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what criteria will be used in assessing whether to grant permission for a private school to expand. [158756]

Mr. Miliband

Section 162 of the Education Act 2002 requires independent schools to gain approval from the Secretary of State before increasing the maximum number of pupils within the school. The approval process takes into account the findings of recent inspections, or the school's plans for building work, which are subject to building regulation controls. Approval confirms that issues such as overcrowding or understaffing will not compromise the health, welfare and safety of pupils.