§ 48. Mr. Doddsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in view of the confusion that exists about the requirements necessary for an independent school to be registered with the Registrar of Independent Schools under Part III of the Education Act, 1944, what are the minimum requirements for registration, and what are the minimum requirements to be recognised as efficient and to receive official approval.
§ Mr. HoggUnder Part III of the Education Act, 1944, no independent school may operate unless it is registered provisionally or finally, under the Act. In deciding whether the registration of a school should be made, final attention 265W is paid, in particular, to its premises, the adequacy and suitability of the accommodation provided, and the efficiency and suitability of the instruction, having regard to the number, ages and sex of the pupils and also the teaching staff. Recognition of a school as efficient has no legal basis but is accorded to schools which apply to be recognised and are found to reach an appropriate standard which is substantially higher than that required for final registration.
§ 49. Mr. Doddsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if Monkdene College, although registered under provisions of Part III of the Education Act, 1944, is recognised as efficient; when application was made for such recognition; how many members of the staff have qualifications recognised by his department, and what they are.
§ Mr. HoggThe school has not applied for recognition as efficient. My Department does not specify qualifications for teachers in independent schools.