To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations he has received from sponsors of charter schools in America about sponsoring (a) academies and (b) trust schools in England. (111846)

Officials in the Department for Education and Skills had preliminary discussions with an organisation that sponsors charter schools, on a number of occasions back in 2005. It was keen to sponsor several academies in England but has since decided to withdraw from the proposal.

Officials in the Department for Education and Skills had an exploratory discussion around trust schools policy with an organisation that sponsors charter schools in September 2006. A follow-up meeting is planned in February.