§ Mr. Arnold Shawasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many independent schools seeking recognition as efficient were formally inspected in the years 1969 to 1976; and how many were rejected as being below standard;
(2) how many of Her Majesty's inspectors are at present seconded for the inspection of independent boarding schools;
(3) how many independent boarding schools were inspected between 1969 and 1976; and how many, if any, were found to be below the required standard;
(4) how many registered independent schools have been visited by Her Majesty's inspectors between the years 1969 and 1976.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonThis information could not be provided without disproportionate cost. There are 2,246 registered independent schools, of which 1,299 are recognised as efficient. Included in the total are 934 independent boarding schools, of which 815 are recognised as efficient.
Her Majesty's inspectors are not seconded or assigned solely to the inspection of the independent schools. In the course of their duties they inspect formally and informally both maintained schools and independent schools, registered and recognised.
278WOf the schools recognised as efficient, 11 achieved recognition in 1975 and 13 have achieved recognition so far in 1976. Over the same period, three schools which applied for recognition as efficient and were inspected in that connection failed to reach the necessary standard. The numbers of schools to which recognition was granted, and of schools from which recognition was withdrawn, in previous years are given in the Department's annual reports for those years.