§ 2. Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has any proposals to increase his powers of supervision over the standards of academic work and pastoral care at private schools in the Principality.
§ The Minister of State, Welsh Office (Mr. Wyn Roberts)No, Sir. Her Majesty's inspectors of schools have a programme of regular visits to independent schools in Wales. Parents, too, will exercise their own controls in checking on standards at such schools.
§ Mr. MorganDoes the Minister agree that he does not appear to have any powers to determine the fitness for the teaching profession of headmasters who are also the proprietors of their own schools? I cite as an example Mr. William Hoole of New College school, Cardiff, who was sacked as headmaster of the school last October for three 2 offences. The first offence was a liaison with a sixth former under his charge. The second was a physical assault of an 11-year-old pupil under his charge, for which that pupil is still receiving medical treatment nine months later. The third offence was diverting a five-figure sum of school fees to the purchase of a flat for that sixth-form pupil, who is now a university student.
Mr. Hoole was subsequently reinstated by the device of an extraordinary general meeting. Does the Minister agree that in these circumstances the list 99 procedure does not appear to apply and that he should take more powers to cover these circumstances?
§ Mr. RobertsI have noted the contents of the hon. Gentleman's early day motion. The HMI visited New College school in June of last year and saw no ground for concern then. It will be visiting the school again this year. Should any concerns be identified, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will consider whether he needs to take action. Should my right hon. Friend be dissatisfied with standards of education or accommodation at an independent school, or with the fitness of its proprietor, he can issue a notice of complaint requiring remedial action to be taken.