§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether his Department has been asked for advice by any local education authorities retaining selection as to the effects of falling rolls upon their grammar schools.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information is available to his 95W Department as to the effect of falling rolls on the academic and selective nature of grammar schools; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DunnReports by Her Majesty's inspectors of schools are the main source of evidence available nationally of the effects of falling rolls on all types of secondary schools, including grammar schools. These report, inter alia, on observed changes in the curricular and ability ranges of schools with declining pupil numbers. Information provided by local education authorities and others in respect of proposals published under sections 12 to 15 of the Education Act 1980 provides further evidence in respect of particular schools.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why the proposals relating to the minimum size of schools, contained in the White Paper, "Better Schools", did not refer to grammar schools; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DunnThe principles proposed in the White Paper are in respect of the most common forms of school organisation. However, its statement that each school should as far as possible be kept large enough to justify sufficient teachers to provide all pupils with a curriculum which measures up to the principles set out in chapter 2 is of general force.