§ Mr. Michael McGuireasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will withhold his consent from any scheme of secondary education reorganisation whether brought about by local authorities or by church schools commissions, which would result in children having to go to a school which did not offer the same range of subjects as the school which, but for the proposed reorganisation, they would have gone to; and if he will make a statement on his statutory powers in relation to such matters.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonWhen secondary schools reorganise it is necessary for them to re-examine the courses they provide. The pattern of subjects and courses offered at any school is not static, and it is not unusual for two or more schools to co-operate in providing courses in the less popular subjects—a form of co-operation that is to be welcomed.
The capacity of schools to provide an adequate and satisfactory range of courses for children of all abilities is one factor that my right hon. Friend takes into account when schemes for comprehensive reorganisation are submitted to him for approval under Section 13 of the 1944 Education Act.
The arrangements for allocating places at particular schools are a matter for 284W local education authorities and governors or managers; changes in these arrangements, including changes in catchment areas, can be made at their discretion. My right hon. Friend has no power to intervene in ordinary circumstances.