§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many special school places are currently available in Inner London for secondary school pupils found to be disruptive; and what proposals have been put forward for increasing the provision.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonI am advised by the Inner London Education Authority that in helping this particular category of pupils its main concern is with needs rather than with numbers. As a consequence the authority operates a variety of arrangements some of which, but by no means all, are school-based. In about 45 secondary schools there is a "sanctuary" where, in appropriate instances, a direct effort to improve educational performance may re-establish a young person's connection with the normal work of a school. Education guidance centres have also been established. These take a total of 120 pupils usually for one term. For the more severely disruptive child the authority at present provides two units at Finsbury and Bradmede. These arrangements have recently been reviewed and the authority has set aside a sum of £1 million to meet the cost of extending them.