§ 10. Mr. Sainsburyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local education authorities choose to transfer pupils to secondary schools at the age of 12 years.
§ Dr. BoysonIn January 1982, the latest date for which information is available, there were two local education authorities in England where all pupils were normally transferred from middle deemed primary schools to comprehensive schools at the age of 12 years and a further 22 authorities where some pupils were transferred at the age of 12.
§ Mr. SainsburyI think that it would be right to conclude from that helpful answer that it is a minority practice to transfer at the age of 12. What guidance does my hon. Friend give local authorities—if any—about the age of transfers? Are any comments made in that guidance on the problems that might arise when the age of transfer is changed and how they can best be tackled?
§ Dr. BoysonIf there are different ages for changing between primary and secondary, or middle and thud, schools in different areas of the country, there will be problems, particularly if parents move from one local authority to another. However, unless experiments are made in transferring at different ages, with the curriculum that fits that, the position will remain static and there will be no possibility of improvement. Two inspectors' reports are due shortly. One deals with the middle school and with children up to the age of 12, and the other with the middle school and with children up to the age of 13. They should help my hon. Friend.