Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many initial teacher training places originally allocated to School Direct were offered to higher education providers in June 2014; and how many additional places have been allocated to those providers compared to their original allocations.

No places originally allocated to lead schools for School Direct have been offered to higher education providers. Earlier this year, we made a number of places available for those schools that have proven popular with applicants and recruited well. We extended this offer to higher education providers in June.

Since they were initially agreed, we have agreed increases to higher education institution (HEI) allocations for a number of reasons. For example, we allocated more places in physics and mathematics throughout the year and we also allowed transfers between particular subjects. The additional places allocated as a result of our offer in June are just part of changes agreed to HEI allocations. We will publish data showing allocations by university and subject in the autumn.