HC Deb 22 December 1981 vol 15 cc396-7W
Dr. Edmund Marshall

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals Her Majesty's Government have for maintaining the general level of provision of posts of special responsibility in schools despite falling rolls.

Dr. Boyson

The arrangements governing the numbers of higher scale posts in schools are decided by the Burnham committee. The current arrangement provides for a triennial review with 50 per cent. cushioning of any loss arising from falling rolls. That will continue in the future unless some different pattern is agreed by the committee. In addition, employing authorities have discretion to exceed the staffing levels resulting from those arrangements, if they decide that circumstances warrant such action.