§ Mr. Norman HoggTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the reply given to the hon. Member for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth on 11 November,Official Report, column 381, whether Her Majesty's inspectorate of schools have had discussions with Strathclyde regional council concerning the implementation of the recommendations made by the inspectorate in its report on Cumbernauld high school: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 20 November 1991]: The implementation of the recommendations made in the published report following the inspection of Cumbernauld high school were discussed fully with the divisional education officer in May 1991 following the follow-up inspection, and have been the subject of further discussions. Progress was being made on all the issues raised in the published report, although the authority had been unable to respond immediately on those in relation to the replacement of windows and other maintenance, and decoration. That work has been phased. Window replacement is being undertaken in three phases with the second to be completed in 1992 and the remainder undertaken in the course of the financial year 1992–93. Early preparation for redecoration is under way and plans have been made to complete that in 1992–93.
§ Mr. Norman HoggTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the reply given to the hon. Member for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth on 11 November,Official Report, column 381, if he will outline those subject departments, or areas of weakness, at Cumbernauld high school which necessitated Her Majesty's inspectorate of schools to undertake a follow-up inspection of the school in January 1991.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 20 November 1991]: In terms of Scottish Office Education Department 476W circular No. 1095 a follow-up visit is paid to all schools inspected to determine the progress made by the authority and the school in responding to the recommendations made in the published report. The report on Cumbernauld high school made recommendations for action by both school management and the education authority. In relation to the former, action was suggested to be necessary to provide clearer statements of school policies and to ensure effective monitoring of the implementation of these, to provide more differentiation of demand within courses to match the range of ability of pupils, and in relation to aspects of provision in history, technical education, home economics, music and computing. On the evidence of the follow-up visit, substantial progress was being made, with the support of the education authority's advisory service, to bring about improvements in all these areas.