§ 6. Mr. Mossasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education if he will estimate the percentage grammar school intake in the area served by the Atherstone Grammar School in the County of Warwick.
§ Sir E. BoyleAbout 14 per cent.
§ Mr. MossIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that he has given only a nominal percentage and that the effective grammar school intake is more like 10 per cent.? Is he aware that this fall is caused by the deferment of some pupils until September, 1958? Is he further aware that this is also the percentage of selective intake as well as of grammar school intake, and will he ask the county education authority to look at this particular area and then report how he proposes to raise selective education nearer to 20 per cent.?
§ Sir E. BoyleIt is worth bearing in mind that extensions to Atherstone Grammar School will be ready by September, 1958, and that the standard of selection in this part of the county is no more severe than in others.
§ 7. Mr. Mossasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education what staffing deficiencies exist in secondary modern schools at Wilnecote, Kingsbury, Atherstone and Polesworth in the County of Warwick; and what deficiencies are expected in September, 1957.
§ Sir E. BoyleI understand from the Warwickshire Local Education Authority that at present these schools have eight fewer teachers than they would wish. I cannot say what the position will be in september.
§ Mr. MossCan the Minister confirm whether or not there has been a mistake at Wilnecote for September next, where it appears that the teacher-pupil ratio will be 55 to one? It is 38 at Atherstone, 28 at Polesworth and 27 at Kingsbury. Is he aware that in the Report of the United Nations on the World Social Situation it is stated that the world teacher-pupil ratio is only betwen 35 and 36?
§ Sir E. BoyleThe staffing of individual schools is a matter for the local education authority, but if there is one particular detail regarding a particular school perhaps the hon. Gentleman will communicate with me.
§ 8. Mr. Mossasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education what steps are being taken to make more grammar school places available in the area served by the Atherstone Grammar School in the County of Warwick either by enlargement of the existing grammar school or by the organisation of General Certificate of Education courses at other appropriate secondary schools.
§ Sir E. BoyleAtherstone Grammar School is being extended and a G.C.E. course has been started at Polesworth County Secondary School.
§ Mr. MossAre not these improvements such as will bring up the grammar intake to 14 per cent. by September, 1958? Is the Minister aware that there will be an inflow of Birmingham overspill population which will require improvements in addition to those he has mentioned?
§ Sir E. BoyleYes, Sir. In regard to the second part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, I understand that the Warwickshire Local Education Authority is considering the need for providing more places in the selective schools in connection with the possibility of overspill from Birmingham.