HC Deb 09 February 1976 vol 905 c25W
Mr. John Moore

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the total numbers of maintained and voluntary-aided schools in England, Wales and Scotland; and whether they each have individual managing governing bodies.

Miss Joan Lestor

In January 1975 there were 26,079 maintained primary middle and secondary schools in England and 2,212 in Wales, of which 4,894 and 175, respectively, were voluntary aided schools. Every maintained school in England and Wales is required to have a body of governors—secondary schools—or managers—primary schools. Local education authorities are, however, empowered to make arrangements for the grouping of any two or more schools under a single managing or governing body, and some have done this. Schools in Scotland are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.