HC Deb 21 July 1998 vol 316 cc520-1W
Mr. Chaytor

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research he has commissioned to identify(a) the minimum and (b) the optimum size of sixth forms in schools for the purpose of (i) maintaining a broad and balanced curriculum and (ii) achieving economies of scale. [51144]

Dr. Howells

We have not directly commissioned any research. OFSTED have commented on the minimum number of students needed in a sixth form to provide economically a basic and broader curriculum, most recently in their report on Secondary Education 1993–97 and in more detail in the Effective Sixth Forms report published in 1996.

Mr. Chaytor

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list each maintained 11 to 18 school with a sixth form of fewer than 150 pupils, grouped by local authority. [51145]

Mr. Byers

The 1997 Secondary School Performance Tables contain the number of pupils aged 16 and over (which gives an indication of the size of a school's sixth form) in each maintained 11 to 18 school in each LEA area in England. Copies of the tables are available in the Library.

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