§ Mr. Baldryasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what initiatives Her Majesty's Government have taken since 1979 to improve the government and management of schools in England and Wales.
§ Mr. DunnThe Education Act 1980 introduced elected parent and teacher governors and provided for school governing bodies generally to be more effective by bringing an end to the previously widespread practice of grouping many schools together under a single governing body. Building on this base, the Education Bill currently before Parliament aims fully to re-establish governing bodies as the force for good in the life of individual schools always intended under the 1944 Act. It proposes to remove the present scope for local education authorities to dominate governing bodies by appointing a majority of the members. Instead there will be a more balanced membership, with a stronger voice for parents. At the same time, the Bill provides a clear framework of functions to enable the governing body to play its full part in the running of its school.