Grant-Maintained Schools

15.

Mr. Paice
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for the extension of grant-maintained status to all schools.

Mr. Eggar
The current arrangements by which schools may apply for grant-maintained status following a ballot of parents are proving very successful. We have no plans to change them. In time I expect grant-maintained status to become the norm for secondary schools in particular.

17.

Mr. Harry Greenway
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many maintained schools have so far (a) applied for and (b) been granted grant-maintained status; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar
As at 18 February 1992, 288 schools had applied for grant-maintained status and 199 had been approved, with 55 awaiting decision.

18.

Mr. Shersby
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many secondary schools have now been approved for grant-maintained status; and how many applications are still under consideration.

Mr. Eggar
As at 18 February, 174 secondary schools had been approved for grant-maintained status and 35 applications were still under consideration.