§ 28. Mr. Haymanasked the Minister of Education whether she is aware that the staff of Landewednack County Primary School, Cornwall, which contains 106 scholars, has now been reduced to a headmaster and two women assistant teachers, the headmaster having a class of 2419 38 children whose ages range from nine to 15 years; and what action she proposes to take to remedy the bad effect these numbers must have on the standard of teaching at this school.
§ Miss HorsbrughYes, Sir, but I do not consider that any action is called for on my part.
§ Mr. HaymanDoes not the Minister consider that an economy of this sort, which results in a headmaster having a class of 38 children in the seven-year range, is something which endangers the essential fabric of education in that school? Will she ask Her Majesty's Inspectors throughout the country to provide her with information on the staffing of these all-age primary schools so that we can have a reasonable and decent standard of staffing in them?
§ Miss HorsbrughThis is no case of economy. The hon. Member will recollect that I particularly pointed out that there should be no economy in staffing. This staffing is the responsibility of the local authority. The numbers laid down as absolutely necessary were laid down in the time of my predecessor— there is no change. I quite agree that if the numbers in this school were to increase by even very few it would be absolutely necessary—and we would point the matter out—for a fourth teacher to be employed.