§ 13. Dr. Mawhinneyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give official guidance to local education authorities on methods they could use in determining whether a change from a system of schools for 806 11 to 18-year-olds, schools with sixth forms to schools for 11 to 16-year-olds and sixth form colleges will save or cost local ratepayers money.
§ Mr. Mark CarlisleYes, Sir. The Department has commissioned management consultants to prepare a method of costing. This will be of use to local education authorities which are reviewing their provision for 16 to 19-year-olds as the joint Government and local authority review recommended.
§ Dr. MawhinneyI thank my right hon. and learned Friend for that information. Does he agree that it is not possible to place a cost upon the disruption caused by replacing schools for 11 to 18-year-olds which are doing a fine job with schools for 11 to 16-year-olds and sixth form colleges?
§ Mr. CarlisleI assure my hon. Friend that, as the report made clear, we believe that there is still room for the viable school for 11 to 18-year-olds with its own individual sixth form.
§ Mr. Andrew F. BennettDoes the Secretary of State agree that it is most unfair for a local authority, having offered a child at age 11-plus a place at a school for 11 to 18-year-olds, to begin to reorganise the system before that child has completed his education?
§ Mr. CarlisleIf one thinks about that for a moment, it means that one could never organise anything because in any year there are bound to be some children who were in the school the previous year. It is necessary for local authorities to look at their provision for 16 to 19-year-olds because the effect of falling rolls would otherwise mean non-viable classes in many small schools.
§ Mr. StoddartIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the proposal by Wiltshire county council to reorganise secondary education in Swindon on the basis of an age range of 11 to 16 and a sixth form college has caused uproar in the area because people believe that it is educationally non-viable and will be bad for the children? As he must have received representations about this, will he ensure that more consultation takes place? Will he come to Swindon to discuss the matter with the people there?
§ Mr. CarlisleI have not seen the matter to which the hon. Gentleman refers, but if he cares to make representations to me about at they will certainly be borne in mind as part of the Department's review of any individual application to change the nature of a school.