HC Deb 04 July 1911 vol 27 cc968-9
Viscount WOLMER

asked the President of the Board of Education why notice has been given that the Parr Mount Boys' School, St. Helens, will not be recognised in future; whether he is aware that the health of the children attending it has been excellent, the standard of instruction extremely high, and that for the last five years the percentage of attendance has been 95.2, 93.7, 95.1, 94.1, and 95 respectively; what provision will be made for the teachers; and how much it is estimated that the new schools required in their place will cost?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Runciman)

No such notice has yet been given. The premises are over-crowded and seriously defective, and the site is so restricted that it appears to be impossible to make them satisfactory for their present numbers. The Board have advised the managers accordingly and have called attention to specific defects, and especially to the serious risk of injury to the children in case of fire. It will not be possible to recognise the premises indefinitely for their present numbers or, without improvement, for a smaller number. The Board have, however, advised the managers of the improvements necessary to admit of the recognition of the premises for a further period for a single department. I am not aware of anything abnormal in the health of the children or the standard of instruction. The statement in the question as to the percentage of attendance at the school is substantially accurate. There does not appear to be any reason why the teaching staff should be adversely affected as ample notice will be given of any decision to remove the school from the grant list. No proposal for the replacement of the school is before the Board, and I am not, therefore, in a position to give an estimate of the expenditure which would be involved.