HC Deb 14 July 1976 vol 915 cc185-9W
Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will pay an official visit to Calderdale, West Yorkshire, in order to meet representatives of the education authority and representatives of teachers and parents, to discuss the delays to which the reorganisation of secondary education is being subjected, in view of concern being expressed about recent policy decisions affecting secondary education.

Miss Margaret Jackson

My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to do so. My predecessor made an official visit to Calderdale on 22nd October last and discussed these matters fully with representatives of the education committee and teachers. As the law at present stands initiative in making reorganisation proposals lies with the local education authority.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of Staet for Education and Science (1) if he will make a statement on the progress in the reorganisation of secondary education within Calderdale, West Yorkshire;

(2) if he will provide information about his Department's comments on the last Section 13 notices, issued by Calder-dale Education Authority, affecting the future reorganisation of Ryburn Secondary Modern School, Sowerby Bridge and Todmorden Grammar School; and if he will make a statement.

Miss Margaret Jackson

Since the Calderdale Education Authority's response to Circular 4/74, outlining plans for comprehensive reorganisation throughout its area, Section 13 approval has been given for the Holy Trinity (Church of England, Aided) School, Halifax, to become comprehensive from September 1976, while the Roman Catholic (Aided) High School, Halifax, will admit its first comprehensive intake in September 1977.

I am informed that reorganisation proposals for Sowerby Bridge, Todmorden, and the Holmfield site have been considered by the local education authority, and provisional capital allocations have been made by my Department for building projects at Sowerby Bridge and Todmorden to assist progress towards reorganisation. Final approval for these projects is dependent on the receipt of satisfactory Section 13 proposals relating to the schools concerned. A proposal to enlarge the Sowerby Bridge Grammar School has been submitted but has not yet been approved because the authority has so far given insufficient evidence of its intention regarding the future of the school in its reorganisation scheme.

Section 13 proposals for the reorganisation of secondary schools in Todmorden and for a change in the age range and enlargement of the Ryburn Secondary Modern School are understood to be under consideration by the authority but have not yet been submitted.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will consider intervening under Section 68 of the Education Act, to stop proposals, confirmed by Calderdale Education Authority, whereby parents within Greater Elland will be able to apply for their children to be selected to attend schools, other than Brooksbank School, Elland, in Halifax, Brighouse and Rastrick.

Miss Margaret Jackson

Long-standing arrangements in the area have allowed a limited number of children to attend other schools if their parents so wished, provided that these are suitable for the children concerned and their attendance does not involve unreasonable expense to the local education authority. I hope that when the Education Bill becomes law selection by ability and aptitude will soon cease to be the basis of admission to any school.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations have been received from governors of Brooksbank School, Elland, West Yorkshire, primary school managers, teachers and parents about limitations being imposed on the future growth of the school.

Miss Margaret Jackson

None.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many pupils now attend Brooksbank School, Elland, West Yorkshire; and what numbers are anticipated by 1980, 1985 and 1990.

Miss Margaret Jackson

The January 1976 return shows 1,326 registered pupils attending Brooksbank School. On present housing, and maintaining the present catchment area, the local education authority estimate future numbers to be: 1980–1,557, 1985–1,488, 19901,320.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list and publish all exchanges of correspondence between his Department and Calderdale Education Committee and Education Department, concerning the reorganisation of secondary education within Calderdale since May 1975.

Miss Margaret Jackson

It is not the practice of Government Departments unilaterally to publish their correspondence with other bodies or with individuals.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what contingency plans exist for the closure of Roomfield School, Todmorden; when this school is to close; if his Department is satisfied with the current arrangements for the transfer of pupils to other accommodation; what are the reasons for the delay in such a transfer taking place; and how many pupils are affected.

Miss Margaret Jackson

The premises will be closed in December of this year. 150 infants will transfer in September to the Stile Youth Service Centre, which will be converted and enlarged by the provision of temporary classrooms. 190 juniors will move in January 1977 to purpose-built accommodation on the Scaitcliffe site. I am informed that transport will be provided as necessary.

My Department has made special building allocations available to deal with the emergency arising from the poor condition of the Roomfield premises, and I am satisfied that the authority has made the best arrangements possible in the circumstances. The delay in provision of the junior accommodation was caused by difficulties in placing the contract for building work.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when Calderdale Education Authority last had consultations, formal or informal, with his Department regarding the publication of Section 13 notices relating to the reorganisation of Ryburn Secondary Modern School, Sowerby Bridge and Todmorden Grammar School; and what information is available to his Department as to when such notices are to be published.

Miss Margaret Jackson

In May the Council notified me that it intended to make proposals regarding Todmorden Grammar School and Ryburn Secondary Modern School. My Department commented on the draft proposals in June. I have no information as to when proposals will be published.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the statutory provisions by which local authorities may provide temporary accommodation for anticipated school growth, as in the case of Calderdale LEA and Brooksbank School, West Yorkshire; what is the estimated cost of the provision of such accommodation in this case; and if his Department has been consulted by the LEA about possible assistance in partly offsetting such expenditure.

Miss Margaret Jackson

It is open to the local education authority to make provision by means of temporary accommodation within the annual lump sum capital authorisations for school building sanctioned by my right hon. Friend. I understand that at the Brooksbank School the Calderdale authority, within its 1976–77 authorisation, is providing two temporary classrooms and converting an existing classroom to a science laboratory at a cost of £18,000. My right hon. Friend does not pay specific grant on expenditure at county schools but loan charges arising from expenditure within an authorised building allocation are relevant expenditure for rate support grant.