§ Mr. CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps the Government are taking to help schools improve pupil behaviour. [118678]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 11 April 2000]: We are making nearly £500 million available over three years to help schools improve pupil behaviour. This is backed up with new guidance on "Social Inclusion: Pupil Support" issued last July which offers schools advice on good practice in tackling pupils' behavioural problems. In addition, the Excellence in Cities initiative includes the provision of Learning Mentors and Learning Support Units to help school better manage disruptive pupils.
And the new Connexions service will complement these initiatives in providing coherent and co-ordinated support for all young people when and where they need it to enable them to participate effectively in appropriate learning.
§ Mr. CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment his Department has made of the impact on standards of educational achievement of poor behaviour in schools. [118677]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 11 April 2000]: My Department has not carried out an assessment of the impact of poor behaviour on achievement. However, data in the Department's Youth Cohort Study show that in 1997 31 per cent. of truanting pupils gained no GCSEs, compared to only 4 per cent. of non-truanting pupils.
184WIn addition, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of School's latest annual report, published in February, shows the clear link between standards of behaviour and educational achievement. For example, in the majority of secondary schools pupils have positive attitudes to their lessons and to school; however, in a minority, pupils' attitudes to learning are particularly poor in Year 9 because not enough is done to respond to early indicators of pupil disaffection.