§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what training is provided for members of school boards in interviewing of candidates for senior teaching posts. [30712]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonIt is for each education authority to determine what training should be provided for members of school boards in its area to assist them in carrying out their functions, including their duties in relation to interviewing candidates for senior teaching posts.
§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will publish the results of his consultation paper on school boards circulated in April. [30713]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe consultation paper put forward changes which the Government would be disposed to make to the School Boards (Scotland) Act 1988 should a suitable legislative opportunity arise. Accordingly, if such an opportunity arises, the outcome of the consultation exercise will be reflected in the Bill presented to Parliament.
§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance is given to school boards on the publishing of brochures aimed at attracting parents. [30714]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonNone. There is no requirement on school boards to publish brochures although the legislation does require a school board to make a report to parents of pupils in attendance at the school at least once in every year in order to inform parents of the board's activities. More generally, education authorities are required to produce a school handbook for each school under their management. School handbooks must contain information about the school as set out in regulations and may contain additional information at local discretion.
§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many school boards have asked for wider powers. [30715]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonUnder section 15 of and schedule 3 to the School Boards (Scotland) Act 1988, a school board may request the delegation to it of its education authority's functions in relation to a school, except those functions listed in section 15(2) of the Act. However, such requests are made to the education authority and information on the number of schools which have requested wider powers in this way is not held centrally.
The Scottish Office Education Department recently consulted school boards and others on possible changes to the school boards legislation. The closing date for comments was 19 June. Over 350 responses were received, and are currently being analysed. A number of boards have made suggestions on wider powers.
§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what advice is given to schools boards on promoting academic freedom. [30753]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonNone.
§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to change the name of chairman of a school board to convener. [30754]
796W
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonNo. While the legislation requires every school board formally to appoint a chairman and vice-chairman, a number of boards already informally adopt different terminology, as they see fit.
§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many members of school boards in 1994 were returned in uncontested elections; and how many schools which formerly had a board no longer have one. [30755]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonIn the 1993–94 biennial school board elections 3,291 parent members of school boards were returned in uncontested elections. Some 310 school boards in existence at the start of school session 1993–94 were disestablished as a result of insufficient parents coming forward for election. Of these, 21 had been re-established by 31 May 1994 as a result of parental request.
§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the cost of conducting school board elections in 1994. [30756]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonExpenditure on conducting school board elections is a matter for the education authorities. Under the legislation, the last biennial round of elections was held in school session 1993–94. Information on the expenditure incurred by authorities in that round of elections or in subsequent by-elections is not held centrally.
§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has had on the composition of school boards. [30757]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonMany of the 350 or so responses received on the recent consultation paper on school boards commented on composition.