§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what rights under statute and remedy against failure parents of children at each of the key stages have to see that their children are tested this term; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ForthSection 10 of the Education Reform Act 1988 imposes a duty on head teachers of maintained schools to secure the implementation of the national curriculum, including the assessment arrangements at the end of the key stages. Local education authorities and governing bodies are under a corresponding duty to exercise their functions so as to secure its implementation.
Teachers' conditions of employment require them to assess, record and report on the development, progress and attainment of pupils, under the reasonable direction of the head teacher, and having regard to the curriculum for the school.
Parents who believe that LEAs or governing bodies are failing to discharge a statutory duty associated with the national curriculum should in the first instance complain through the local complaints machinery, provided for in section 23 of the Education Reform Act. If their complaint is not satisfactorily dealt with, they may then complain to the Secretary of State who may give directions to the LEA or governing body concerned, under section 99 of the Education Act 1944, if he considers this is appropriate.