HC Deb 06 November 1974 vol 880 c167W
Mr. Beith

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what factors have led him to recommend that the Charlotte Mason College of Education, Ambleside, should continue to provide initial teacher training.

Mr. Prentice

Charlotte Mason is the only college of education in the large Cumbria Local Education Authority. The college has made great strides in recent years and applications for admission greatly exceed available places. In September 1973 51 per cent. of its intake to initial training had two or more A levels, compared with a national average of under 40 per cent. It has pioneered a professional BEd degree course for teachers of young children in association with the University of Lancaster and intends from September 1975 to offer degree courses only.