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Dept for Education and Skills

Answer

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what programmes are in place between school science and design technology departments and local industry to obtain hardware for school laboratories and workshops. [85409] Margaret Hodge: Nationally, through Science Year, we have secured over £4 million worth of science equipment and resources for schools from partners such as Intel, Pfizer, the Gatsby Charitable Foundation and the Association for Science Education. Highlights include an Intel Digital Microscope for every maintained primary and secondary school and an electronic whiteboard to every school with a science advanced skills teacher. At local level, through education and business partnerships, we encourage schools and firms to work together in ways which best meet their joint needs. This can range from scientists and engineers helping with out of school clubs, to providing other resources, including hardware, where local manufacturers of the specialist equipment needed for science and design and technology are able and willing to do so. From April 2001, the LSC assumed responsibility, for ensuring the provision of education/business link activity, including KS4 work experience and professional development placements (formerly teacher placements), in each of the 47 LSC areas.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

85409; 396 c564W;396 c580W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Cooperation Design Industry Equipment Schools Technology Science Laboratories

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk