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School Governance (Constitution, Federations and New Schools) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2005

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that. I clearly overlooked the Specialist Schools Trust’s function in that respect. I am glad that they are there to do that for schools. Finally, clearly the Government have a job to do with LEAs. It was clear from the consultation that they were worried and unhappy about their ability to carry out the strategic role they are being asked to do and the fact that the Government have not taken account of that anxiety in these regulations. I hope that the White Paper will evolve into something which gives more help and guidance to the LEAs in the new role they will be asked to play and takes account of what might happen if certain schools are allowed to grow like Topsy and other schools are potentially left behind. We have been painting a potentially black scenario today because it is our job to question the Government and to challenge what might happen under the Government’s proposals. I hope that some of the scenarios we have painted do not occur. We are concerned about the well being of all the children. I shall read carefully what the Minister said in response to our Prayer. I beg leave to withdraw the Motion. Motion, by leave, withdrawn.