HC Deb 14 February 1978 vol 944 cc187-8W
29. Mr. MacGregor

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will bring forward proposals to improve the standards of English in secondary schools.

40. Mr. Hicks

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what initiatives she proposes taking designed to improve the standard of teaching of English in secondary schools; and if she will make a statement.

46. Mr. Montgomery

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action she is taking to improve standards of literacy in schools.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

I shall consider whether guidance is needed on questions related to the school curriculum when I have received local education authorities' responses to my Department's Circular 14/77 later this year. The circular makes specific reference to English. In the meantime Her Majesty's Inspectorate will continue to co-operate with local education authorities in providing courses for teachers based on recommendations in the Bullock Report.

49. Mr. Goodhart

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further recommendations of the Bullock Report on literacy she intends to implement in the next six months.

Miss Margaret Jackson

The recommendations of the Bullock Report were directed towards the education service as a whole; and their implementation will inevitably be gradual. Her Majesty's inspectors continue to monitor progress and to offer advice and assistance to local education authorities and teachers on ways of putting into effect the report's suggestions. For example, between now and July they are likely to be working with 14 local education authorities on a variety of English language courses.