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Thursday, 21 June, 2001, 12:24 GMT 13:24 UK
More schools get specialist status
Ministers want half of England's comprehensives to specialise
Scores of schools have been given specialist status, under a controversial government programme aimed at improving standards and spreading diversity.
Another 79 new specialist schools in England have been announced by the Education Secretary, Estelle Morris, bringing the total number of such schools to 684.
She has also named 425 new beacon schools - which are given extra cash in return for sharing best practice with other schools. The announcement brings the total number of beacon schools in the English primary and secondary sectors, to 1,000.
Announcing the new wave of schools at a specialist school in east London, the Education Secretary Estelle Morris said the government aimed to build on the improvements in standards made in primary schools. "These new specialist and beacon schools will help us to realise that aim by fostering a culture of innovation and allowing schools to learn from each other," she said. "We want all schools to be able to build on their own unique character, play to their strengths and be a part of an education system that celebrates diversity." Controversial scheme The specialist school scheme is controversial because the nominated schools attract extra funding and are allowed to select up to 10% of children on aptitude. They also have to attract funding from the private sector, which is matched by the government.
But the government believes the schools are important in raising standards and increasing diversity in the comprehensive system. Ms Morris denied the schools were socially divisive, saying it was not only middle-class schools which could benefit from specialist status. "We want an education system where every single school can play to its strengths - all those schools that are ready for specialist school status and want it can take it on," she said. 'Not rationed' Critics tended to view the specialist school programme and the diversity programme as rationed, but it was not, she added. "I believe that every single school can achieve its own ethos and mission and our task it to help," Ms Morris said. Of the 79 new specialist schools, 33 will be technology colleges, 18 will be language colleges, 16 will concentrate on sports and 12 on arts. The announcement of the new specialist schools means the government has exceeded its target of creating 650 by September. The plan is for half of all comprehensive schools in England to be specialist centres.
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See also:
21 Jun 01Â |Â Education
05 Mar 01Â |Â Education
08 Feb 01Â |Â Education
02 Jan 01Â |Â Education
17 Oct 00Â |Â Education
18 Dec 00Â |Â Education
21 Jun 01Â |Â Education
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The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top Education stories now:
Links to more Education stories are at the foot of the page.
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