HC Deb 12 February 1991 vol 185 cc438-9W
Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received about the teaching of history and geography and the attainment targets stipulated in the national curriculum; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

The representations received in response to the proposals of the then Secretary of State for attainment targets and programmes of study in geography and history were the subject of consultation reports published recently by the National Curriculum Council. On 14 January my right hon. and learned Friend published draft statutory orders and draft associated documents containing attainment targets and programmes of study in these two subjects, and invited comments and representations by 15 February.

Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the teaching of history in schools is to be pursued with the intention of understanding contemporary issues; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by right hon. and learned Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre Forest (Mr. Coombs) on 14 January 1991 at column373–74 when he published a draft order and associated document setting out attainment targets and programmes of study for history in the national curriculum.

Proportion of leavers with 5 or more GCSE results at Grades A-C3
1 2 Net Institutional expenditure per pupil 1988–89 as percentage of all leavers
LEA £ rank
ILEA 2,505 15.9 91
Waltham Forest 2,435 12.7 94
Brent 2,305 20.6 78
Ealing 2,145 22.5 67
Newham 2,140 14.9 93
Croydon 2,040 22.1 70
Knowsley 1,990 8.5 96
Barking 1,970 11.3 95
Coventry 1,940 21.2 76
Liverpool 1,905 19.4 84
Kingston-upon-Thames 1,900 32.2 10
Hounslow 1,895 25.2 49
Sandwell 1,885 15.5 92
Walsall 1,885 23.4 59
Hillingdon 1,870 22.7 65
Newcastle-upon-Tyne 1,870 21.6 74
Havering 1,860 24.4 57
Salford 1,860 23.2 62
Wigan 1,845 30.2 18
Dudley 1,840 25.5 47
South Tyneside 1,825 22.2 68
Barnet 1,820 38.9 2
Sheffield 1,810 22.2 68
North Tyneside 1,780 27.5 36
Bromley 1,770 29.9 19
Gateshead 1,770 20.4 80
Cleveland 1,770 26.5 43
Leicestershire 1,770 25.1 51
Wirral 1,755 27.8 31
Derbyshire 1,755 24.6 54
Wolverhampton 1,745 19.9 81
Hertfordshire 1,745 31.9 11
Nottinghamshire 1,745 23.4 59