§ 3.18 p.m.
§ Lord Dormand of Easington asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ How they intend to ensure that there will be at least two tenders for inspection work for every school.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Education (Baroness Blatch)My Lords, the detailed arrangements for school inspections under the Education (Schools) Act will be a matter for Her Majesty's Chief Inspectors of Schools in England and Wales who are obliged under the Act to invite at least two tenders for each inspection.
§ Lord Dormand of EasingtonMy Lords, will the Minister say how many inspectors need to be recruited in order to make the national position viable? As she has not answered the Question, can she say what procedure will be adopted if two tenders for inspection are not received?
§ Baroness BlatchMy Lords, both of the questions which the noble Lord has put to me are for Her Majesty's Chief Inspector. At the moment there is a framework document out for consultation which the noble Lord would do well to read and perhaps respond to if he has particular anxieties. Her Majesty's Chief Inspector is obliged under the law to inspect all schools every four years and that will be done.
§ Baroness BlackstoneMy Lords, can the Minister say whether the Government will be encouraging Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools to recruit teams of local education authority inspectors to undertake this work if the response to the Government's bizarre and expensive advertising campaign to recruit registered inspectors is unsuccessful?
§ Baroness BlatchMy Lords, the noble Baroness raises an important point, which is also a matter for Her Majesty's Inspectorate. We have taken the view—I believe that we are supported in it by the noble Baroness and her colleagues—that the inspectorate should be independent of government. These will therefore be matters for the chief inspector. He will publish both his criteria and the framework under which they will operate.
§ Lord Dormand of EasingtonMy Lords, the advertisement for inspectors states: 9
If you have experience in education or management consultancy".Does that not mean that some inspectors who will be appointed will have no experience whatever of education?
§ Baroness BlatchMy Lords, I can be absolutely sure that Her Majesty's Chief Inspector will make sure that anybody who is involved in the business of inspecting schools will be fully qualified to do so.
§ Lord Dormand of EasingtonMy Lords, with great respect, that does not deal with the advertisement, which, in that sense, says nothing about education. I repeat that it refers to applicants who may have "management consultancy" experience.
§ Baroness BlatchMy Lords, the noble Lord omits to mention the fact that all applicants will be subject to training that is approved by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector.