§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many primary school closures there were in(a) England and (b) Wales in each year since 1997. [167977]
§ Mr. MilibandThe numbers of primary schools in England that closed during the calendar years 1997 to 2003 are as follows:
1273W
Number of primary schools closed 1997 171 1998 174 1999 197 2000 188
Number of primary schools closed 2001 227 2002 223 2003 207 Source: DfES. The figures include schools that closed as a result of the amalgamation or merger of two or more schools; schools that have closed but re-opened as voluntary schools with a religious character; and schools that have closed in local education authorities that have moved from a three-tier to a two-tier system.
The National Assembly for Wales is responsible for schools in Wales and can supply this information on request.