To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many new faith schools have been established in the last 10 years; and what proportion of these schools receive state funding. (141087)

Some 490 faith schools have been established since 1 January 1997. These comprise: 253 local authority maintained schools, 16 academies and 221 independent schools. A significant proportion of the maintained schools and academies were established in place of one or more closing faith schools. The local authority maintained schools and academies are funded from the public purse and, therefore, 55 per cent. of these new or replacement faith schools receive state funding.