Written question asked by Paul Farrelly (Labour) on Thursday, 2 March 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 March 2006. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Monday, 13 March 2006 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Trust School Status

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what features of the proposed trust schools status will help raise standards at Wolstanton High School in Newcastle-under-Lyme;

Answer: Trusts will help create a long term, stable and sustainable relationship bringing in partners to support the school's governance and strategic direction with clear aims and outcomes agreed at the outset. A school can decide whether it wants to acquire a trust and whom they might want to work with. It will be easier to use the Power to Innovate, with the potential for flexibilities to be agreed centrally and made available to all schools supported by the trust.Specialist schools, such as Wolstanton High School and Sir Thomas Boughey High School, could join a network of schools working collaboratively to help raise standards and share best practice in a specialist subject. Schools will benefit from the different perspectives, experience and skills of different partners to provide opportunities for greater efficiency or workforce development. For example, they may like to work with a university or training provider as part of a trust to gain access to additional educational expertise or create links between staff and students that raise aspirations and motivate schools students.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 56586; 443 c1881W;443 c1881W
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Trust Schools
Monday, 20 March 2006
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Wolstanton School
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk