HC Deb 18 July 1957 vol 573 cc1310-1
1. Mr. Moss

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education what steps are being taken to provide specialist teachers at the Polesworth Secondary Modern School in the County of Warwick.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education (Sir Edward Boyle)

The staffing of individual schools is the responsibility of the local education authority.

Mr. Moss

Is the Minister aware that, in addition to the overall shortage of teachers at this school, there is a shortage of specialist teachers which may make the new technical and commercial course impossible to develop? Will the Minister ask the education authority to let him know what steps it is taking to make the specialist teachers available by September next?

Sir E. Boyle

I know very well that the country as a whole is short of teachers of specialist subjects, but recruitment to specialist training colleges has improved and more third year supplementary courses are being provided. I am sure that the local education authority will do all it can to fill the vacancies at this school, but I do not think that I can ask it to give it special preference.

3. Mr. Moss

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education whether he will cause phase 3 of new building at the Polesworth Secondary Modern School to be completed at the same time as phase 2, in view of the increasing numbers of pupils at the school.

Sir E. Boyle

No, Sir. The building work already approved will be sufficient for the numbers of pupils expected.

Mr. Moss

Will not the number of pupils increase by over one hundred by September next, and is the Minister aware that phase 2 of this programme includes only one classroom in a school where the majority of the classrooms are already too small?

Sir E. Boyle

The third phase of building work would replace the old premises now being used by the secondary school and enable them to be used by the primary school. This would be a desirable improvement, but it is not within my noble Friend's present building policy. If the number increases more than expected, this matter can certainly be reconsidered.