 | | Tony Blair unveiled a booklet which said the Government would welcome applications from high-performing independent schools interested in becoming city academies.
The Prime Minister said every state school would soon be on the way to becoming either a privately sponsored academy or a trust school, backed by businesses and other private groups. The appeal followed figures earlier this month which showed that record numbers of children are now being taught in private schools.
Independent schools suggested their growing popularity was partly due to the high profile Mr Blair had given education in the past 10 years, which has made parents more discerning.
Today Mr Blair released a new prospectus aimed at attracting more academy sponsors to join the programme. The document said: "High performing independent day schools are eligible to be considered for academy status where they can increase the supply of high quality school places serving diverse communities.
"Two such schools have now become academies - Belvedere School in Liverpool, and William Hulme Grammar School in Manchester.
"The Government would welcome other suitable independent schools wishing to join the programme."
Ministers want to open 400 academies in an effort to improve education in deprived areas of England. In exchange for up to £2 million, private sponsors such as business figures and faith groups take control over running an academy, including setting the school's ethos and appointing governors.
The Government pays for the school's running costs and the rest of the expense of opening new buildings - typically about £25 million.
The Prime Minister also announced that more than 200 schools are on track to become trust schools, backed by business groups and universities.
Unlike academies, trust schools are not expected to receive extra funding from private organisations, but they are intended to benefit from the support of the groups running the trust.
Trust backers involved so far include children's charity Barnado's, Microsoft, the Co-operative Group and Unilever.
May 15, 2007
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