§ Mr. Frank R. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in what way the criteria that led to the ministerial approval of the decision to close Peel Brow high school, Bury, and its replacement by Woodhey comprehensive school have changed to enable the use of Peel Brow by pupils and staff of Ashmeadow high school.
§ Dr. BoysonThere has been no change. The Peel Brow buildings are being used as a temporary annex to Ashmeadow high school pending completion of phase I of the new Ashmeadow project at Hazel Avenue. This has been delayed by factors beyond the control of Bury authority, but the new premises are expected to be taken in full use by about Easter 1980. At that time, all pupils now occupying the Peel Brow premises will be accommodated in the new building and Peel Brow will be closed.
§ Mr. Frank R. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list all those secondary schools in the North-West that operate on more than three sites, showing the maximum distances involved between the sites.
§ Dr. BoysonI regret that this information is not available. A recent sample survey of school building suggested that about 20 per cent. of all maintained secondary schools in England and Wales, or 1,000 in all, were on two or more sites in 1976; 350 having a distance of at least half a mile between the sites.
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§ Mr. Frank R. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list all those secondary schools in the North-West whose physical education and games facilities are catered for by public parks, showing the maximum walking time from the school to such facilities.
§ Dr. BoysonI regret that this information is not collected by my Department.
§ Mr. Frank R. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many pupils and staff are on the recorded roll of Ashmeadow high school, Bury; how many operate from the individual sites that at present make up this school; how many pupils and staff, and with what frequency, travel between these separate sites; and how long he expects these arrangements to continue.
§ Dr. BoysonI am informed by Bury LEA that there are 937 pupils on roll at present at Ashmeadow high school; there are 59 permanent and 3 temporary staff. 338 pupils in the first and second years are taught in the Hazel Avenue site; 216 third-year pupils are taught in the Peel Brow site, Ramsbottom; 383 fourth and fifth-year pupils are taught in the Cedar Street site. No pupils regularly travel between these sites during the school day. 16 members of staff are involved in travel to the Peel Brow site and a further 18 members of staff travel between the Cedar Street and Hazel Avenue sites. It is not possible to give a general indication of the frequency of this travel.
The authority intends to relinquish the premises in Ramsbottom at Easter 1980 when phase I of the Ashmeadow building project is completed. The school will then consist of two sites which are about 5 minutes' walk apart.
§ Mr. Frank R. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the weekly cost of transport for pupils of Ashmeadow high school, Bury, at present operating on five sites separated by distances up to a maximum of five miles; what is the estimated cost of staff travelling time; how many staff and pupil teaching hours are lost by split site travelling; what is the cost of duplicated services; what type of staff-pupil insurance cover has been taken out; and at what additional cost.
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§ Mr. MacfarlaneThis information is not collected by my Department. I advise the hon. Member to approach the local education authority direct.
§ Mr. Frank R. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many letters he has received from pupils, parents, teachers, governors and members of Bury education committee concerning the completion of the Ashmeadow high school, phase II, special education priority area school building project; and when he expects this contract to be completed.
§ Dr. BoysonWe have received 170 letters from pupils, 13 from parents, and 4 from teachers, governors and members of Bury education committee about the building work at the Ashmeadow high school.
The contract for phase I is expected to be completed by Easter 1980. A start on phase II depends on the Bury local education authority being able to accommodate the project in its school building allocations.
§ Mr. Frank R. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the regulations regarding the heating and water supply of academic and physical education school units; and if he is satisfied that each of the five sites used by Ashmeadow high school, Bury meets those regulations.
§ Dr. BoysonPart VI of the Standards for School Premises Regulations 1972 includes the following requirements:
Heating Temperatures Type of room or space C Teaching rooms … … 17 Gymnasiums … … 14 Water Supply
55.—(1) Sufficient and wholesome water shall be provided.
(2) The premises shall, where reasonably practicable, be connected to a supply of water in pipes.
(3) Where a supply of water under pressure is available, running water shall be laid on to the washbasins, baths and showers.
(4) Sufficient warmed and cold water shall be available to satisfy the following requirements:—
- (a) every washbasin shall have an adequate supply of warmed water; and
568 - (b) all baths and showers shall have a supply of water warmed on emission to a temperature of not less than 38C and not more than 43.5C.
My right hon. and learned Friend is satisfied that the new permanent buildings at Ashmeadow high school, Bury, for which plans were approved on 13 March 1978 will conform to the prescribed standards.
§ Mr. Frank R. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he has received a report from the Schools Inspectorate on the teaching conditions being experienced by pupils and staff at Ashmeadow high school; and what consideration has been given by his Department to the safety, hygiene, environmental and educational aspects of the operation of this school on five separate sites;
(2) if the Schools Inspectorate has visited Peel Brow high school, Bury to report on the educational, hygiene and safety standards to be adopted during its use by pupils of Ashmeadow high school.
§ Dr. BoysonOne of Her Majesty's inspectors visited Peel Brow high school on 25 June and Ashmeadow high school on 18 December and has reported to my Department. My right hon. and learned Friend is satisfied that the authority has taken every possible step to ensure the provision of adequate safety, hygiene, environmental and educational conditions at its school.