§ Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the number of managers on the board of managers for a voluntary church-aided school can be increased from six to eight so as to include an elected parent representative and an elected staff representative; and what procedures would have to be followed in order to achieve this result.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonThe present statutory position is that two-thirds of the managers of aided primary schools are appointed as foundation managers, and one-third by the local education authority, or by the local education authority and the district council or other minor authority if there is one. It is not possible to establish separate categories of elected parent or staff managers, but those responsible for appointed managers under the present statutory provisions are free to appoint parents, who can be nominated directly or indirectly as the result of an election or in some other way. Managing bodies of six already include parents in some cases, but with the agree-
358Won free school meals, at current and at 1978 prices, in each year since 1965, and showing in each case the number of children involved; and if she will include estimates for 1978–79.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonThe information is as follows:
ment of those concerned my right hon. Friend whould be prepared to consider amending an instrument of management to provide for a larger managing body for this purpose. However, managing bodies have to be constituted in multiples of three because statutory rights to appoint managers are expressed in thirds of the total size.
The standard instrument of management of aided schools at present precludes the appointment of members of staff as managers. To avoid any uncertainty about the position of staff managers under the present law, my right hon. Friend would be reluctant to amend instruments to permit such appointments. However my right hon. Friend hopes shortly to introduce a Bill which will, inter alia, provide for the election of parents and teachers to the managing or governing bodies of all county and voluntary schools.
§ Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many parents and staff are co-opted on the boards of managers of voluntary aided schools.
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§ Miss Margaret JacksonDetailed figures are not available, but my right hon. Friend understands that it is relatively common practice for parents of pupils at aided schools to be appointed as managers, and for arrangements to be made for members of the teaching staff to attend managers' meeting as observers.