HC Deb 24 February 1972 vol 831 cc350-2W
Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many classes in the Manchester area in primary schools have above 30 and above 40 pupils, respectively; and what proportion these constitute the total;

(2) how many secondary school classes in the Manchester area have above 30 pupils and above 35 pupils, respectively; and what proportion these constitute of the whole.

Mr. van Straubenzee

Following is the information:

CLASSES IN MAINTAINED PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MANCHESTER. JANUARY 1971
Number Percentage of total
Primary school classes (registered)
Classes of more than:
30 pupils 1,308 65.5
40 pupils 87 4.4
Secondary school classes (teaching groups)
Classes of more than:
30 pupils 349 22.0
35 pupils 62 3.9

Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what new school buildings will be completed in the Manchester area in each of the next three years according to current plans.

Mr. van Straubenzee

It is not possible to forecast completion dates for school building projects. But the following projects in Manchester are either under construction or are expected to start in the present financial year.

  • Mount Carmel R.C. Infants.
  • St. Chad's R.C. Primary.
  • Cheetham Crumpsall Comprehensive.
  • Webster Street County Primary
  • St. Stephen's C. of E. Primary.
  • Corpus Christi R.C. Primary.
  • St. Wilfred's C. of E. Primary, Newton Heath.
  • Ten Acres E.S.N. School, Newton Heath
Some of the projects included in later programmes are also likely to be completed within the next three years.

Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what school buildings in the Manchester area are considered unsatisfactory by her; and what action is being taken.

Mr. van Straubenzee

The only recent information available to the Department comprises a list of schools built before 1903 provided by the local education authority. 39 schools in this category require replacement or major improvement and action is being taken as follows:

Approved for 1972–73 Programme

  • Acacias County Primary.
  • Ross Place County Primary.
  • St. Mary's C. of E. Primary, Hulme.
  • St. Jude's C. of E. Primary.
  • All Saints C. of E. Primary, West Gorton.
  • St. Willibrod's R.C. Primary, Clayton.
  • Holy Name R.C. Primary.
  • St. John's R.C. Junior, Chorlton.
  • Sacred Heart R.C. Infant, Gorton.

Approved for 1973–74 Programme

  • Cravenwood County Primary.
  • Princess County Infants.
  • Princess County Junior.
  • St. Anne's R.C. Primary.
  • St. James' C. of E. Primary.
  • Ravensbury County Infants.

Submitted for 1974–75 Programme

  • St. James' Lower Crumpsall Primary.
  • Greenheys Primary.
  • Varna Street Infant and Junior.
  • St. Peter's C.E. (Blackley) Primary.
  • St. Clement's C.E. (Higher Openshaw) Primary.
  • Chapel Street Infant and Junior.
  • Seymour Road Infant and Junior.
  • Cavendish Road Primary.
  • Heald Place County Primary.
  • Nelson Street Infant and Junior.
  • St. Andrew's C.E. (Levenshulme) Primary.
  • Hague Street Primary.
  • Ducie High (old building).
  • Burnage High (Ladybarn building).
  • Nicholls Ardwick High.
  • Chorlton High (upper).

No Proposals Received

  • Stanley Grove Infant and Junior.
  • Didsbury C.E. Primary.
  • St. Agnes C.E. Primary.
  • St. John's C.E. Primary, Longsight.
  • St. Patrick's R.C. Junior.
  • St. Paul's C.E. Primary, Withington.
  • St. Vincent's R.C. Primary.
  • St. Gregory's R.C. Grammar.

Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will visit Lily Lane School, Manchester, to discuss the communication from children sent to her by the hon. Member for Manchester, Blackley.

Mrs. Thatcher

I have no present plans to visit this school and cannot trace having received any communication about it from the hon. Member.

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