Mr. R. C. Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she proposes to hold a conference on comprehensive education.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsI am holding a conference on comprehensive education in England at the University of York on 16th and 17th December 1977 and am also arranging two preliminary meetings in London in June. I have invited some 50 teachers, members and officers of local authorities and others with experience of comprehensive schools to attend the conference, which will be open to the Press. Officers of my Department, Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools, and representatives of some other countries will also be present. I hope that, in the light of the conference, it will be possible for me to draw to the attention of local authorities particularly successful practices in comprehensive schools.