History of the Trust

Click on the relevant dates below for more information

 

2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 |
1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | 1994 | 1993 | 1992 |
1991 | 1990 | 1989 | 1988 | 1987

 

---

2005 - From 29 September, the Specialist Schools Trust (SST) became the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT). This name change reflects the Trust’s new support role for the academies programme.

A further 195 schools achieve specialist status bringing the total number of schools which have achieved specialist status to 2,381.

Philip Green, the boss of high street fashion retailer The Arcadia Group, has been named the Specialist Schools Trust’s Sponsor of the Year 2005.

2004 - 506 - new specialist schools are designated, 238 from the October 2003 round and 268 from the March 2004 round
This brings the total number of specialist schools operating in September 2004 to 1955. This figure accounts for 62% of all secondary schools and over 2 million pupils.

Results in specialist schools continue to outstrip those of non- specialist schools with 56% gaining 5 good GCSE grades as opposed to 47% in non-specialist schools (based on 2003 results). In the key subjects of English, mathematics and science, 39% of pupils in specialist schools achieved A*-C grades compared to 31% of those in other schools.

The government publishes proposals to allow successful specialist schools to adopt a second specialism on re-designation and to allow them greater independence by making it simpler to adopt foundation status. The government also announces plans for 200 City Academies by 2010.
The number of schools affiliated to the Trust reaches 2,400.

 

2003 - Trust changes its name to Specialist Schools Trust to better reflect its work across the specialisms
- Another 217 specialist school designations are announced in February with an additional 245 in July, bringing the total for September 2003 to 1444 schools. The government also announces 2 new specialisms - music and humanities - plus a rural subject option for rural schools.
- The Secretary of State now refers to a 'specialist system'.
- The Affiliation Network exceeds 2000 schools.

 

2002 - 150 new specialist schools are announced in February, total now 835
- In March the first bids are received for the 4 new specialisms.
- The number of schools affiliated to the Trust passes 1500.
- In July another 160 new specialist schools are announced bringing the total to 992 plus 15 CTCs.
- In November the Secretary of State, Charles Clarke, announces that all schools which meet the criteria can become specialist. He also announces a Partnership Fund to assist schools having difficulty raising the required £50K sponsorship.
- A new milestone target of 2000 specialist schools by 2006 is set.

 

2001 - Government's green paper 'Schools: building on success' sets new targets of 1000 specialist schools by 2003 and 1500 by 2005
- The green paper also proposes 4 new specialisms: science; mathematics & computing; business & enterprise and engineering.
- 700 specialist schools are now designated.

 

2000 - 550 specialist schools, target for 2004 is now 1000
An analysis of educational outcomes and value added specialist schools is published for the first time. It shows specialist schools in a favourable light.
The number of schools affiliated to the Trust passes 1000.

 

1999 - target exceeded, new target of 800 set

 

1998 - number of specialist schools now 392, new target of 500 set

 

1997 - incoming Labour Government supports the specialist school initiative and pledges its expansion
- A community role for specialist schools is introduced.
- The first arts and sports colleges are designated.
- 245 specialist schools are operational.

 

1996 Arts and Sports Colleges announced
- The first Annual Lecture is given by Deputy Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Michael Heseltine.
- The Trust changes its name to the Technology Colleges Trust.
- 169 specialist schools are up and running.

 

1995 - first 16 language colleges designated
- There are now 100 specialist schools are now operational.

 

1994 - first 50 technology colleges are designated
- A large number of these technology colleges are supported by the Garfield Weston Foundation.
- The specialist schools initiative is opened up to all secondary schools.
- Language colleges are announced.

 

1993 - 15th CTC, technology colleges launched, first conference
- Technology colleges are launched - only Grant Maintained and Voluntary Aided schools can apply
- John Cabot in Bristol (Cable & Wireless/Wolfson Foundation)
- The first conference for affiliated schools is held.

 

1992 - Government White Paper, 1 CTC, affiliation scheme launched
- A Government White Paper recommends setting up technology colleges
- Landau Forte in Derby (Martin Landau/Forte plc).
- The ©Technology Colleges Trust launches a school affiliation scheme.

 

1991 - 6 CTCs opened
- Bacons in Southwark (Church of England and Philip Harris)
- Haberdashers in Lewisham (Haberdashers)
- Thomas Telford in Telford (Mercers/Tarmac)
- Brooke Weston in Corby (Garfield Weston Foundation/Hugh de Capell Brooke)
- BRIT in Croydon (BRIT Trust).

 

1990 - 4 CTCs opened
- Dixons in Bradford (Dixons PLC);
- Emmanuel in Gateshead (Reg Vardy Group, Laings & Safeway);
- Leigh in Dartford (Sir Geoffrey Leigh/the Wellcome Foundation);
- Harris in Croydon (Philip & Pauline Harris Charitable Trust).

 

1989 - 2 more CTCs open
- Djanogly in Nottingham (sponsored by Sir Harry Djanogly);
- MacMillan in Middlesborough (BAT Industries and Sir John Hall).

 

1988 - First city technology college (CTC) opens
- Kingshurt CTC in Solihull, sponsored by Hanson PLC, Lucas and others.

 

1987 - Trust established
- The City Technology Colleges Trust is established. Sir Cyril Taylor, Chairman of the Trust, is also appointed Adviser to the Secretary of State (he has been Adviser on Specialist Schools to each subsequent Secretary of State).