HC Deb 10 April 2002 vol 383 cc116-7W
Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions she has had with Ofsted regarding the content of the biology curriculum and the teaching of evolution. [45236]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State regularly meets the Chief Inspector of Ofsted to discuss matters relating to the curriculum and teaching in schools, including the teaching of science (where biology and evolution are taught).

Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions she has had with Ofsted regarding the teaching of creationism in state schools. [45237]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

[holding answer 21 March 2002]:My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State regularly meets the Chief Inspector of Ofsted to discuss matters relating to the curriculum and teaching in schools but has never discussed the specific issue of teaching creationism in state schools.

Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidelines she has given to schools regarding the place of creationism in the curriculum. [45238]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

All state-funded schools have a responsibility to provide a broad and balanced curriculum to their pupils. Statutory and non-statutory guidelines are available to support teachers. The schemes of work for Religious Education produced by the QCA offer guidance for teachers who want to address the issue of creationism during RE lessons.

Mr. Brady

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent guidance she has issued to schools regarding the teaching of creationism in the curriculum. [48240]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

All state-funded schools have a responsibility to provide a broad and balanced curriculum to their pupils. Statutory and non-statutory guidelines are available to support teachers. The schemes of work for Religious Education produced by the QCA offer guidance for teachers who want to address the issue of creationism during RE lessons.