Clause 75
1:30 pm
Jim Knight (Minister of State (Schools and Learners), Department for Children, Schools and Families; South Dorset, Labour)
I shall speak briefly to amendment 27, as I have already made a similar point about an earlier amendment. I am sure that the Committee can refer back to what I said then for a fuller argument. I reassure the hon. Gentleman and others that the size of a proposed academy, and whether it should have a sixth form, will be decided long before it opens and while the Secretary of State retains direct involvement. Appropriate admission arrangements are determined to reflect that. After an academy is open, if there is disagreement locally about the number of places to be funded, the matter would be referred to the YPLA, which would act on behalf of the Secretary of State. The YPLA would reach any decisions on academy sixth-form places by having regard to the policy guidance provided by the Secretary of State. For those reasons, I urge the hon. Gentleman to withdraw his amendment.