HC Deb 22 July 1968 vol 769 cc22-6W
Mr. Dewar

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the approved schools in Scotland together with their management bodies.

Mr. Ross

The information is—

Managed by Glasgow Education Authority

  • Mossbank School. Millerston, Glasgow.
  • Balrossie School, Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire.

Managed by Church of Scotland, Board of Social and Moral Welfare

  • Geilsland School, Beith, Ayrshire.
  • Tynepark School, Hacidington, East Lothian.
  • Langlands Park School, Port Glasgow, Renfrewshire.

Managed by voluntary bodies

  • Kibble School, Paisley, Renfrewshire.
  • Rossie School. Montrose. Angus.
  • Wellington School. Penicuick. Midlothian.
  • Loaningdale School, Biggar, Lanarkshire.
  • Oakbank School, Aberdeen.
  • Thornly Park School. Paisley, Renfrewshire.
  • The Dale School, Arbroath, Angus.
  • Balnacraig School. Fairmount Terrace, Perth.
  • Snowdon School for Girls, Stirling.
  • Balgowan School. Downfield, Dundee.
  • Balgay School, Blackness Road. Dundee.
  • Dr. Guthrie's Boys' School, Liberton, Edinburgh.
  • Dr. Guthrie's Girls' School, Gilmerton, Edinburgh.
  • St. Andrew's School, Shandon, Dunbartonshire.
  • Kenmure St. Mary's Boys' School, Bishopbriggs, Glasgow.
  • Springboig St. John's School, Shettleston, Glasgow.
  • St. Ninian's School, Gartmore. Perthshire
  • St. Joseph's School. Tranent, East Lothian.
  • St. John Bosco's School. Hillside. Aberdour, Fife.
  • Dalbeth Girls' School, Old Bishopton. Renfrewshire.
  • Nazareth House School, Claremont, Holburn. Aberdeen.

Mr. Dewar

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children were in approved schools in Scotland at the latest convenient date; how many were there as a consequence of persistent absenteeism from school; and how many as a result of conviction for a sexual offence.

Mr. Ross

At 31st March, 1968 there were 1,663 children in approved schools, of whom 43 had been committed for truancy and seven for sexual offences

Mr. Dewar

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the 1,820 places presently available in approved schools in Scotland are reserved far Roman Catholics; and how many peaces are available for children of any denomination.

Mr. Ross

595 places are provided in schools for Roman Catholic children; the remaining places are available for children of any denomination.

Mr. Dewar

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total teaching staff presently attached to approved schools in Scotland; how many of these are certificated; and how many are graduates.

Mr. Ross

At 31st March, 1968 there were 110 teachers, of whom 80 were

School 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68
£ £ £ £
Springboig St. John's, Glasgow … … … 36,000 65,000 25,000 24,500
Kenmure St. Mary's, Bishopbriggs … … 6,000 32,000 — —
St. Andrew's, Shandon … … … 92,000 80,000 110,000 27,000
St. Ninian's, Gartmore … … … 28,000 12,000 3,000 6,000
Loaningdale, Biggar … … … 10,000 75,000 42,000 11,200
Geilsland, Beith … … … — 140,000 10,000 12,000
Oakbank, Aberdeen … … … — 10,000 25,000 27,000
Dr. Guthrie's Boys', Edinburgh … … … — — 5,000 57,000
Ballikinrain, Balfron Schools being established — — 85,000 15,400
St. Philip's, Airdrie — — — 14,400
Totals … … … 172,000 414,000 305,000 194,500

The loans raised by Managers amounted to:—
1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68
£ £ £ £
173,000 124,000 15,000 63,000

Mr. Dewar

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the 1,820 approved school places presently available in Scotland are reserved for girls.

Mr. Ross

290.

Mr. Dewar

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the children presently in approved schools in Scotland are permitted to attend normal local schools; and how many candidates from approved schools have been presented and have passed, respectively, the "O" level examination of the Scottish Certificate of Education in each of the last three years.

Mr. Ross

At 31st March, 1968, 65 approved, school pupils were attending normal local schools; of these, 58 were from four small junior approved schools which do not provide education. Partici-

certificated under the Scottish regulations and 27 under the regulations applicable in England and Wales; 54 were graduates.

Mr. Dewar

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total value of capital expenditure authorised in Scottish approved sohools in the years 1964–65, 1965–66, 1966–67 and 1967–68, respectively, and met by direct Exchequer grant; if he will list the schools involved and the sums made available; and if he will estimate what was the total sum raised by approved school managers for capital development privately in these years.

Mr. Ross

Exchequer capital grants were made as follows:

pation at Ordinary level in the Scottish Certificate of Education examinations has been as follows:

Candidates presented Passes obtained
1966 … … 3 10
1967 … … 4 8
1968 … … 1 3

Mr. Dewar

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average weekly cost of maintaining a child in an approved school in Scotland.

Mr. Ross

£20 approximately.

Mr. Dewar

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of children leaving Scottish approved schools in each of the last ten years have subsequently been sentenced to terms in Borstal or prison.

Mr. Ross

Percentages established from records provided by schools are:

Percentage of pupils recommitted to approved school or committed to Borstal or other penal establishments in three years following release
Year of release to 31st March Boys Per Cent. Girls Per Cent.
1955 … … 29 10
1956 … … 34 8
1957 … … 36 17
1958 … … 32 8
1959 … … 33 2

Percentage of pupils committed to Borstal or other penal establishments in three years following release
Boys Per cent. Girls Per cent.
1960 … … 28 8
1961 … … 31 3
1962 … … 27 6
1963 … … 27 7
1964 … … 23 1

Notes:

Records up to 1959 do not distinguish between recommitted to approved schools and committed to a penal establishment.

School returns cover the behaviour of pupils in the three years following release. Information about pupils released in the year to 31st March, 1965 is not yet available.

Mr. Dewar

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of the total number of children in approved schools in Scotland is accommodated in single rooms, in dormitories holding up to six children and dormitories holding over 20 children, respectively.

Mr. Ross

Precise details are not readily available. In girls' schools, accommodation is provided mainly in single or small rooms or cubicles; there are two dormitories which can accommodate up to 12 girls each and two for up to 8 girls each. In boys' schools, where there are few single rooms, a growing number of pupils are accommodated in 3- to 6-bedded rooms or cubicles, but there are several dormitories with over 20 beds.

Mr. Dewar

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average length of stay in an approved school in Scotland during the last three years.

Mr. Ross

The average period of detention in Scottish approved schools for the last three years is as follows:

Year to 31st March Months
Boys Girls
1966 … … … 17 18
1967 … … … 16 14
1968 … … … 16 15

Mr. Dewar

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total contributed by parents of children towards the upkeep of children in approved schools in Scotland in the last financial year; and what percentage this is of the total running costs.

Mr. Ross

£12,100 approximately, in 1967–68, representing about 0.7 per cent. of total recurrent expenditure.

Mr. Dewar

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the contribution of local and central government, respectively, to the running costs of approved schools in Scotland; and what proportion of the total cost this represents.

Mr. Ross

The estimated out-turn expenditure for 1967–68 is £785,000 by education authorities and £834,000 by the Exchequer, being approximately 46 per cent. and 49 per cent. respectively, of estimated total recurrent expenditure. The remaining 5 per cent. is made up of parental contributions and other receipts.