HC Deb 10 May 1966 vol 728 cc59-60W
Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many secondary education reorganisation schemes of Type VI have already been approved; and by what criteria he will judge schemes of this type when submitted for his approval.

Mr. Crosland

Proposals to establish schools which overlap the primary and secondary stages of education require my statutory approval under the Education Acts. No proposals of this kind have so far come to me for statutory approval, but I have indicated to a number of authorities that, in principle, I would be prepared to accept a scheme involving the establishment of middle schools.

I shall expect proposals to be justified by reference to some clear practical advantages in the context of reorganisation on comprehensive lines or the raising of the school-leaving age, or both.