VARDY FOUNDATION

Early day motion 1124, tabled 1 May 2003 by Baroness Tonge (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 36 members.

That this House notes that the Vardy Foundation is already being subsidised to run independent schools in Gateshead and Middlesbrough at 100 per cent. public expense (after an initial contribution from the sponsor towards capital costs); further notes that it is seeking to set up similar publically funded academies in Doncaster, Leeds, Newcastle, Sunderland and Hull; and calls on the Secretary of State for Education to decline to enter any further agreements with the Vardy Foundation or similar would-be sponsors in respect of new academies unless the sponsors undertake not to operate discriminatory policies and practices and to confine the teaching of creationism to religious education classes.

Signatures by party: Labour 19, Liberal Democrat 14, Labour/Co-operative 3.