§ 32. Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what administrative and clerical assistance he makes available to schools to enable head teachers, in particular, to do more teaching.
§ Mr. RedheadThis is a matter for local education authorities.
§ Mr. Wolrige-GordonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable complaint from head teachers that they have so much administrative and clerical work to do that they have very little time to teach? Cannot he do anything to expedite this sort of practical assistance in the course of their work?
§ Mr. RedheadA recent report showed that a total of some 23,000 clerical and secretarial staff were currently employed in maintained schools, three-quarters of them part-time. This is perhaps a larger figure than is commonly realised. We are in favour of schools having adequate non-teaching help of all kinds to serve the purpose the hon. Gentleman has in mind, and the authorities and teachers' associations are currently examining, through a joint working party, the use of non-teaching staff.