To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether it is his policy to make all secondary schools independent specialist schools; and if he will make a statement. (150687)

It is not this Government’s policy to make all secondary schools independent specialist schools.

Any maintained secondary school in England may apply to be designated as specialist in one, or a combination of two, specialisms. Currently over 85 per cent. of all secondary schools in England are part of the Specialist Schools programme and have a subject specialism. The current target for the programme is that 95 per cent. of all schools will be specialist by 2008 and we are well on the way to achieving this.