§ 39. Mr. Mossasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education the number of pupils continuing their full-time education in secondary modern schools in the County of Warwick after the statutory school-leaving age has been reached; to what extent the number has been increasing; and whether outside visits play an important part in their activities.
§ Sir E. BoyleIn January, 1956, there were 141 pupils over the age of fifteen in Warwickshire secondary modern schools, rather fewer than in 1955 or 1954. No figures are yet available for 1957. The arrangement of outside visits is a matter for the head teacher of each school.
§ Mr. MossDoes not the Minister agree that the tendency of pupils over the statutory school-leaving age to stay on at school is something to be encouraged? Does he realise that in schools which are already obsolete and overcrowded this 2092 matter gives rise to further difficulties, and in the case of Warwickshire may be of importance?
§ Sir E. BoyleI certainly agree that we want to encourage children to stay longer at school. I said so on 5th April. I would only add that we should not take too seriously small changes in the figures from year to year. The local authority has in hand schemes to attract children to stay longer at secondary modern schools.
§ 40. Mr. Mossasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education the average number of pupils at the Wilnecote Secondary Modern School in the County of Warwick during 1956; what increase is anticipated during 1957 and 1958; and what is being done to accommodate additional pupils.
§ Sir E. BoyleThere were 319 pupils at this school in January, 1956, and 349 in January, 1957. Numbers are expected to increase by about twenty this year and thirty next year. Two additional hutted classrooms will be available next September.
§ Mr. MossWill the Parliamentary Secretary help me out of a difficulty? In reply to me on 14th March, he said that the new school at Wilnecote:
will be ready by the time the additional children for whom it is needed are of secondary school age."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 14th March, 1957; Vol. 566, c. 1283.]I take it from his Answer today that the numbers are already rising in an overcrowded school? How does he reconcile his first Answer with his Answer today?
§ Sir E. BoyleI will look at that, but the present position is that the average size of classes in January, 1957, was thirty-five. It should be easier to reduce the numbers when the new classrooms are ready, provided the local education authority can obtain sufficient teachers.
§ 41. Mr. Mossasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education whether the Wilnecote Secondary Modern School in the county of Warwick is now adequately staffed.
§ Sir E. BoyleThe staffing of this school last term, though slightly better than a year ago, was not as good as the local education authority would have liked.