§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the relationship between schools having Investors in People status and educational achievement; and if he will make a statement. [104959]
§ Mr. Stephen TwiggThere is good evidence that Investors in People supports school improvement. An NFER study in June 2000 found a clear positive link 293W between achievement of the standard and Ofsted's assessment of teaching quality. For this reason, Investors enjoys the support of key national partners, including Ofsted. The great majority of schools which have achieved the standard say that it has directly contributed to raising pupil achievement, through a more focused approach to training and development. This view seems to be shared by schools of all shapes and sizes.