§ 45. Mrs. Kellett-Bowmanasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is her policy towards the maintenance of small secondary schools in rural areas in view of the contribution to education which is well suited to the needs of the children in their catchment area.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonResponsibility for the pattern of provision of secondary education rests with local authorities and voluntary bodies. Proposals for establishing comprehensive schools are considered on their merits. In the case of rural areas where small schools are often unavoidable, especially in a period of declining numbers, particular care has to be paid to their range of courses, deployment of staff, utilisation of facilities, and the nature of the area served.