Private firms join in the business of education

The first 12 zones, opening in September, 1998:

North and East Barnsley, 21 schools. Partners include BT and computer giant Bull Information Systems.

South Blackburn and Darwen, 22 schools. Private partners include Blackburn Rovers FC and ICI.

New Addington, Croydon, nine schools. Partners include Edexcel (formerly the London Examinations Board).

South Hereford and the Black Mountains, 22 schools. Partners include Tesco and the Prince's Trust.

Lambeth, 27 schools. Partners include IBM, ICL, National Theatre, Shell International and the Royal Festival Hall.

South and West Leicester, 23 schools. Partners include Leicester City FC.

East Middlesborough, 18 schools. Partners include Middlesborough FC

Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 19 schools. Partners include Newcastle United FC.

Newham, 19 schools. Partners include Arthur Anderson, BT and Tate & Lyle.

Grimsby, 17 schools. Partners include World Challenge Expeditions (organises international school trips).

Salford and Trafford, 18 schools. Partners include Barclays Bank, Kelloggs and John Laing Construction.

Weston-super-Mare, 23 schools. Partners include McDonald's, NSPCC and educational consultants Nord Anglia.

The next 13 zones, opening in January, 1999:

Birmingham, Aston and Nechells, 21 schools. Partners include Barnardos.

Birmingham, Kitts Green and Shard End, 15 schools. Partners include Rover, Cadbury and the National Exhibition Centre.

East Brighton, 12 schools. Partners include Gatwick Airport, accountants KPMG and American Express

East Basildon, 30 schools. Partners include Research Machines (educational computer group).

North and West Halifax, 29 schools. Partners include the Halifax.

Hull, Brandsholme, 18 schools. Partners include British Aerospace.

Thetford, Norfolk, 10 schools. Private partners include a local business group.

Nottingham, Bulwell, 10 schools. Partners include local business group.

West Plymouth, 20 schools. Partners include British Aerospace, BT and Britanny Ferries.

North East Sheffield, 21 schools. Partners include BT and Yorkshire Water.

South Tyneside, 13 schools. Private partners include Nissan and Rolls- Royce.

Southwark, 13 schools. Partners include Price Waterhouse and the Financial Times.

Wigan, 30 schools. Partners include North West Water.