§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) in which cases he has modified proposals put forward by local authorities to close or amalgamate secondary schools pursuant to the Education Act 1980; and if he will state the substance of the modifications;
(2) if he will publish all the decisions he has made to close and amalgamate secondary schools pursuant to the Education Act 1980;
(3) on how many occasions where the Minister has authorised secondary school closures or amalgamations under the Education Act 1980 it has been the case that the statutory period for objections has fallen in whole or in part over a school holiday;
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Secondary School Reorganisation Publication LEA Schools Decision (approval) Whether modified 3 September 1980 Bolton Reorganisation to close 18 secondary schools and establish 10 22 June 1981 Yes. Implementation deffered by 1 year and change in use of 2 sets of premises 21 November 1980* Durham Reorganise 5 11–18 schools to become 4 11–16 with establishment of Tertiary College in premises of the closed Peterlee Hontetch Comprehensive 3 August 1981 22 December 1982* North Tyneside Close 3 middle and 1 secondary school— establish new secondary school 8 July 1983 30 October 1981* Wirral LEA and Shrewsbury Diocese Reorganisation of County and RC Schools in Birkenhead and Wallasey (from three tier system to two) 15 secondary schools involved 17 May 1982 8 December 1981* Manchester Reorganisation of County secondary schools in the City of Manchester. 11–18 schools replaced by 11–16 and sixth form colleges (close 22; establish 16 and 3 sixth form colleges) 11 March 1982 29 January 1982 Cleveland 7 (11–18) schools become 5 (11–16) and one sixth form college 25 October 1982 how many pupils were taught, at primary and secondary levels in each of the years 1954, 1959, 1964, 1974, 1979, 1982 and 1983.
§ Sir Keith JosephInformation about numbers of non-teaching staff by sector of education are not available centrally the numbers of pupils in maintained primary and secondary schools in England and the numbers of teachers employed within these schools were as follow:
(4) if he will list the names of the local authorities where he has authorised amalgamations or closures of secondary schools under the Education Act 1980, and indicate when the authorisations were made.
§ Sir Keith JosephThe following tables list proposals published under sections 12 and 13 of the Education Act 1980 for the closure, simple amalgamation or reorganisation of secondary schools, which I or my predecessor approved in the period August 1980, when this section of the Act came into force, and December 1983. Eight proposals were approved with modifications, following consultation with the local education authority concerned. The tables show that for a large number of proposals the two-month statutory objection period fell in part during the school holidays; in only two cases did the whole objection period fall within a school holiday.
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Publication LEA Schools Decision (approval) Whether modified 25 February 1982* Liverpool LEA and Liverpool Archdiocese Reorganisation of RC Secondary schools in Liverpool. Close 38, establish 15. To create a city wide system of comprehensive schools 11 August 1982 26 March 1982* Wiltshire Swindon Comprehensive reorganisation and establishment of a sixth form college 10 November 1982 14 May 1982 Croydon Change age-range of schools to 11–16 and establish sixth form colleges 6 December 1982 18 March 1982* Essex Reorganise of secondary and further education in the Harlow Area. (close 2, establish a tertiary college and change age range from 11–16 to 11–18 of 6 schools.) 24 January 1983 29 July 1982† Staffordshire Stoke-on-Trent—change in age-range of 21 secondary schools from 12–16 to 11–16 (also change in age-range of 121 first and middle schools) 2 March 1983 11 August 1982* North Yorkshire From selective to comprehensive—close 4, establish 3 and a tertiary college 6 April 1983 16 August 1982* North Yorkshire From selective to comprehensive education. Closure of 12 including 3 grammars and establishment of 6 (11–16). Change in character of grammar to comprehensive and provision of sixth form college 19 April 1983 Closure of 1 school deferred by 1 year 1 September 1982 Birmingham Closure of 26, establishment of 15 and 3 sixth form colleges 2 February 1983 29 October 1982* ILEA and Diocese Close 11 voluntary schools, establish 8 (11–16) and one RC sixth form college 19 March 1984 10 December 1982* Gloucestershire Forest of Dean Comprehensive reorganisation change from grammar and secondary modern to comprehensive 3 April 1984 10 December 1982* East Sussex Brighton. Change from middle schools to primary and secondary schools 25 January 1984 13 December 1982 Hereford and Worcester Closure of 4 schools including 1 grammar; establishment of 2 comprehensives and 1 sixth form college 23 February 1983 16 February 1983* Lancashire Change age-range of 7 county schools from 11–19 to 11–16 and develop Blackburn College as a tertiary college 8 March 1984 4 March 1983* Knowsley Central area reorganization—close 5, establish 3 and change age-range of 2 from 11–19 to 11–16 29 September 1983 Implementation of closure of 2 schools deferred by 1 year 25 March 1983* Cheshire LEA Governors of RC School Reorganisation of County RC and CE in Chester (from 3 tier to 2 tier) includes change in age-range from 12–18 to 11–18 of 3 county and 1 RC High Schools 30 November 1983 1 November 1982* Hampshire Portsmouth secondary reorganisation change age-range of 7 schools from 12–18 to 12–16; establish a sixth form college and close Great Saltners secondary 7 October 1983 *Statutory objection period falls in part over a school holiday period. † Statutory objection period falls entirely over a school holiday period. 18W19W
Amalgamation Publication Date LEA Name of School Date of Decision Whether modified 6 October 1980 Doncaster Catherine MacAuley Upper & St. Peter's High 30 January 1981 24 September 1980 Essex Dowsett High & Southchurch Hall secondary Modern to form comprehensive 28 January 1981 8 August 1980* Northamptonshire Samuel Lloyd & Corby Southwood 16 February 1981 4 November 1980* Liverpool Liverpool Girls College CE & Archbishop Blanch 6 May 1981 14 November 1980* Berkshire Slougth High Girls & Slough High Boys to form new Grammar 5 June 1981 14 November 1980* Berkshire Haymill & Warren Field, to form new secondary modern 5 June 1981 14 November 1980* Berkshire Holme wood County Secondary & Langley, to form new secondary modern 5 June 1981 2 February 1981 Havering Harrow Lodge Secondary Boys & Maylands Secondary Girls 28 July 1981 6 March 1981* Wirral Corpus Christi RC High & St. Hugh RC High 24 August 1981 8 May 1981 Sefton St. Thomas & St. Catherines RC High 19 November 1984 20W21W
Publication Date LEA Name of School Date of Decision Whether modified 10 February 1981 Liverpool John Hamilton comprehensive & Lambeth comprehensive 30 November 1981 Liverpool Croxteth comprehensive & Ellergreen comprehensive 30 November 1981 Knowsley Prescot comprehensive & Higher side comprehensive 19 January 1982 Knowsley Page Moss comprehensive & Roby comprehensive 19 January 1982 Knowsley Cantril comprehensive & Parkway comprehensive 19 January 1982 15 June 1981* Newcastle-upon-Tyne Heaton Secondary & Manor Park Secondary 2 February 1982 29 January 1981 Surrey Q.E. II. Secondary & Sheerwater secondary 18 February 1982 7 August 1981* West Sussex Greesford High & Tarring High 11 March 1982 25 September 1981 Lancashire All Saints & St. Mary's RC High 2 April 1982 4 December 1981* Dudley Richmond High for Boys & Richmond High for Girls 20 April 1982 26 June 1981 Warwickshire Keresley Newland Secondary & Ash Green Secondary 22 April 1982 Implementation deferred by 1 year 10 August 1979 Dorset Weymouth Grammar & Broadway Modern 10 May 1982 Timing modification Portland Modern & Westham Modern 10 May 1982 Timing modification 11 September 1981 ILEA Holland Park Isaac Newton Secondary for Boys & Ladbroke Secondary for Girls 18 May 1982 Implementation deferred by 1 year 15 June 1981* Newcastle-upon-Tyne John Marlay Secondary & Slatyford Secondary 1 June 1982 30 April 1982 Kent Folkestone Grammar for Girls & Folkestone Technical High for Girls 6 July 1982 30 April 1982 Kent Faversham Secondary for Girls & Lady Capel Secondary for Girls 14 July 1982 6 August 1981* Surrey Sunbury College & Ashford College 20 July 1982 Surrey Sunbury Secondary & Keynton Manor 20 July 1982 2 April 1982* Tameside Ravensfield High & Astley High 17 August 1982 2 April 1982* Tameside Hyde, Flowery Field High & Hyde, Leigh Street & Hyde Greenfield High 20 August 1982 23 September 1981 Sefton Countess of Derby High & Warwick Bolam High 6 September 1982 Implementation deferred by 1 year 18 February 1982 Cheshire Thorngrove High & Harefield High & Dean Row High 30 September 1982 6 May 1982 Cleveland Oakland & Stainsby Secondary 23 November 1982 Cleveland Bertram Ramsey & Brookside Secondary 23 November 1982 2 April 1982* Sefton Old Hall High & Ormonde High 24 November 1982 14 May 1982 Bury Whitefleld High & Unsworth High 25 November 1982 14 May 1982 Bury Ashmeadow High & Seedfield High 25 November 1982 20 August 1982* Durham Leadgate English Martyrs RC Comprehensive & Lanchester St. Bedes RC Comprehensive 2 December 1982 22 January 1982 Devon Bishop Blackall Girls' High & Helens Boys High 10 December 1982 28 May 1982 Cambridgeshire Wisbech Grammar & Wisbech Queens Girls & Queens Boys 14 January 1983 25 June 1982* Hertfordshire Trinity Secondary & Fanshawe Secondary 25 January 1983 16 April 1982 Surrey Albury Manor Secondary & Redstone Secondary 31 January 1983 11 December 1981* Oxon Icknield Secondary & King Alfred's & Segsbury 7 February 1983 11 June 1982* ILEA Beaufoy Vauxhall Manor Secondary & Stockwell Manor Kennington Priory Park Secondary 8 February 1983 13 December 1982* Hereford and Worcestershire Christopher Whitehead Girls Secondary & Christopher Whitehead Boys Secondary 23 February 1983 13 December 1982* Hereford and Worcestershire Worcester Samuel Southall Secondary & Worcester, Peardiswall Comprehensive 23 February 1983 27 August 1982* Hertfordshire Rivermead Secondary & Queen Eleanor Secondary 4 March 1983 12 July 1982* Cumbria Cockermoufh Grammar Derwent Secondary 8 March 1983 2 September 1982 Sandwell Albright High & Oldbury High 16 March 1983 5 August 1982* Cleveland Brunner Secondary Comprehensive & Furness Secondary Comprehensive 18 March 1983 29 September 1981 Knowsley St. Andrew's Comprehensive & St. Veronica's Comprehensive 16 May 1983 Implementation deferred by one year 25 February 1983* Cumbria Heversham Grammar & Milnthorpe Secondary 15 August 1983 14 December 1982* Dorset Ashley Cross Modern & Secdown Modern 19 October 1983 19 January 1983 Ealing Faraday High Reynold High with closure of Elthorne High 10 October 1983 16 April 1983 Hampshire Fareham: Close 4 secondary schools, open 2 24 October 1983
Publication Date LEA Name of School Date of Decision Whether modified 6 December 1982* Hampshire Amalgamate Moorhill, Hightown & Merryoak to form 1 new school 13 October 1983 20 May 1983 Manchester Bishop Greer CE & Fallowfield CE 18 November 1983 22 April 1983 Cheshire Lymm High & Lymm Oughtingham 30 November 1983 14 February 1983* North Yorks St. George's Boys & St. Margarets Chilleron Girls 3 November 1983 12 July 1983* Manchester Cardinal Newman RC Girls & St. John Plessington RC Boys 30 December 1983
Closures Publication date LEA Name of school Date of decision Whether modified 15 December 1980* Coventry Clarbury Mortimer 16 June 1981 5 March 1981* North Yorkshire Park Grove Secondary Modern 26 June 1981 8 April 1981* Liverpool St. Gregory's Roman Catholic 30 June 1981 11 June 1981* Merton Chaucer County Secondary 7 September 1981 12 June 1981* Croydon Our Lady's Roman Catholic for Girls 29 September 1981 16 March 1981* Somerset Priorswood Secondary 11 November 1981 30 April 1981 Doncaster Ellers High 24 November 1981 Doncaster Doncaster Grammar 24 November 1981 13 May 1981 South Tyneside Perth Green Comprehensive 11 February 1982 24 July 1981* Wirral Marian Roman Catholic High for Girls 12 February 1982 3 April 1981* Oxfordshire Spendlove Secondary 13 February 1982 28 August 1981* Hampshire Alton 6th Form College 22 February 1982 8 December 1981* Manchester Plant Hill High 11 March 1982 Manchester Abraham Moss High 11 March 1982 Manchester North Manchester High for Girls 11 March 1982 Manchester North Manchester High for Boys 11 March 1982 Manchester Harpurhey High for Girls 11 March 1982 8 December 1981* Manchester Moston Brook High for Boys 11 March 1982 Manchester High School of Art 11 March 1982 Manchester Central High for Girls 11 March 1982 Manchester Nicholls Ardwick High 11 March 1982 Manchester Wright Robinson High 11 March 1982 Manchester Spurley Hey High 11 March 1982 Manchester Central High for Boys 11 March 1982 Manchester Birley High 11 March 1982 Manchester Ducie High 11 March 1982 Manchester Chorlton High 11 March 1982 8 December 1981* Manchester Wilbraham High 11 March 1982 Manchester Levenshulme High for Girls 11 March 1982 Manchester Brookway High 11 March 1982 Manchester Newall Green High 11 March 1982 Manchester South Manchester High 11 March 1982 Manchester Poundswick High 11 March 1982 Manchester Yew Tree High 11 March 1982 7 December 1981* Cambridgeshire Peterborough Secondary for Girls 16 April 1982
Reorganisation Date of publication LEA Name of school Date of decision Whether modified 30 October 1981* Wirral 7 middle schools in Wallasey 17 May 1982 30 October 1981* Wirral 5 secondary schools in Wallasey 17 May 1982 30 October 1981* Wirral Hamilton Middle 17 May 1982 30 October 1981* Wirral 3 RC middle schools in Wallasey 17 May 1982 30 October 1981* Wirral St. Mary's RC college 17 May 1982 9 March 1982* Croydon Heath Clark High 26 May 1982 9 March 1982* Croydon Ecclesbourne County High 26 May 1982 9 March 1982* Croydon South Norwood High 26 May 1982 9 March 1982* Croydon Davidson High 26 May 1982 15 December 81* Leicestershire Westcotes Secondary 7 July 1982 13 April 1982 Liverpool Edge Hill Secondary 8 July 1982 13 April 1982 Liverpool Lawrence Secondary for Girls 8 July 1982 13 April 1982 Liverpool Fairfields Secondary for Girls 8 July 1982 8 April 1982* ILEA Convent of the Holy Family RC Secondary August 1982 12 May 1982 Birmingham Blessed Humphrey Middlemore RC Secondary 10 August 1982 22W23W
RC Secondary Reorganisation Date of Publication LEA Name of School Date of Decision Whether modified 25 February 1982* Liverpool Cardinal Allen 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool Cardinal Godfrey 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool De La Salle 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool Campion 11 August 1982 24W 25W
Date of Publication LEA Name of School Date of Decision Whether modified 25 February 1982* Liverpool Convent of Mercy 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool Mary Help of Christians 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool La Sagesse 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool Notre Dame 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool All Hallows (Boys) 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool All Hallows (Girls) 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool Archbishop Whiteside 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool Cardinal Newman 11 August 1982 25 February 1982; Liverpool English Martyrs 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool Our Lady of the Assumption 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool Queen of All Saints 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool Sacred Heart 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool St. Agnes 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool St. Ambrose Barlow 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool St. Anne's (Boys) 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool St. Anne's (Girls) 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool St. Bonaventures 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool St. Catherine's 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool St. George's 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool St. John's 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool St. John Almond 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool St. Margaret Clitherow 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool St. Margaret Mary's 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool St. Martin (Boys) 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool St. Martin (Girls) 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool St. Matthew's 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool St. Michael's 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool St. Nicholas's 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool St. Philomena's 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool St. Pius X 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool St. Swithin's 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool St. Teresa's 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool St. Thomas A'Becket 11 August 1982 25 February 1982* Liverpool St. Winefride's 11 August 1982 7 April 1982* Salford North Salford High 17 August 1982 26 February 1982* Durham Lansdowne Comprehensive 24 September 1982 29 January 1982 Cleveland Duke House Secondary 25 October 1982 29 January 1982 Cleveland Manor Comprehensive 25 October 1982 29 January 1982 Cleveland High Tungtall Comprehensive 25 October 1982 29 January 1982 Cleveland Brierton Comprehensive 25 October 1982 29 January 1982 Cleveland Brinkborn Comprehensive 25 October 1982 29 January 1982 Cleveland Henry Smith Comprehensive 25 October 1982 29 January 1982 Cleveland Hartlepool 6th Form College 25 October 1982 26 March 1982* Wiltshire St. Margaret's Churchfield Comprehensive 10 November 1982 26 March 1982* Wiltshire The Common Weal Comprehensive 10 November 1982 26 March 1982* Wiltshire Dorcan Comprehensive 10 November 1982 26 March 1982* Wiltshire The Drove Comprehensive High 10 November 1982 26 March 1982* Wiltshire Ferndale Comprehensive High 10 November 1982 26 March 1982* Wiltshire The Headlands Senior Comprehensive High 10 November 1982 26 March 1982* Wiltshire Herod Burma Comprehensive High 10 November 1982 26 March 1982* Wiltshire Moredon Comprehensive High 10 November 1982 26 March 1982* Wiltshire Park Senior Comprehensive High 10 November 1982 26 March 1982* Wiltshire Penhill Comprehensive High 10 November 1982 26 March 1982* Wiltshire Pinehurst Comprehensive High 10 November 1982 26 March 1982* Wiltshire Richard Jefferries Comprehensive High 10 November 1982 26 March 1982* Wiltshire Walcott Comprehensive High 10 November 1982 26 March 1982* Wiltshire Westbourne Comprehensive High 10 November 1982 14 May 1982 Rotherham Brampton Ellis CE Secondary 30 November 1982 14 May 1982 Rotherham South Grove Secondary 4 December 1982 14 May 1982 Croydon Norbury Manor High 6 December 1982 14 May 1982 Croydon John Newham High 6 December 1982 14 May 1982 Croydon Lady Edridge High 6 December 1982 14 May 1982 Croydon Purley Girls High 6 December 1982 14 May 1982 Croydon Ingram Boys High 6 December 1982 14 May 1982 Croydon Norbury Manor High 6 December 1982 14 May 1982 Croydon Overbury High 6 December 1982 14 May 1982 Croydon Shirley High 6 December 1982 14 May 1982 Croydon Westwood Girls High 6 December 1982 14 May 1982 Croydon Taunton Manor High 6 December 1982 14 May 1982 Croydon Woodcote High 6 December 1982 14 May 1982 Croydon Selhurst Girls High 6 December 1982 14 May 1982 Croydon Selhurst Boys High 6 December 1982 14 May 1982 Croydon John Ruskin High 6 December 1982 14 May 1982 Croydon Purley Boys High 6 December 1982 10 June 1982* Lancashire Leyland Runshaw 6th Form College 17 January 1983 10 June 1982* Wolverhampton Wolverhampton Grammar Girls High 20 January 1983 21 May 1982 Devon Efford Secondary 24 January 1983
Date of Publication LEA Name of School Date of Decision Whether modified 21 May 1982 Devon Laira Green Secondary 24 January 1983 21 May 1982 Devon Prince Rock Secondary 24 January 1983 21 May 1982 Devon Salisbury Road Girls Secondary 24 January 1983 1 September 1982 Birmingham Warren Farm Secondary 2 February 1983 1 September 1982 Birmingham Paget Secondary 2 February 1983 1 September 1982 Birmingham Old Know Secondary 2 February 1983 1 September 1982 Birmingham Ward End Hall Secondary 2 February 1983 1 September 1982 Birmingham Alderlea Secondary 2 February 1983 1 September 1982 Birmingham Boardsley Green For Girls Secondary 2 February 1983 1 September 1982 Birmingham Longmeadow Secondary 2 February 1983 1 September 1982 Birmingham Bierton Secondary 2 February 1983 1 September 1982 Birmingham Pitmaston Secondary 2 February 1983 1 September 1982 Birmingham Brandwood Secondary 2 February 1983 1 September 1982 Birmingham Yardleywood Secondary 2 February 1983 1 September 1982 Birmingham Ilmington Secondary 2 February 1983 1 September 1982 Birmingham Selly Oak Secondary 2 February 1983 1 September 1982 Birmingham Portland Secondary 2 February 1983 1 September 1982 Birmingham Northfield Secondary 2 February 1983 5 August 1982* Merton Pelham High 21 February 1983 13 December 1982* Hereford & Worcester Worcester Bishop Perowne CE Secondary 23 February 1983 13 December 1982* Hereford & Worcester Worcester Grammar for Girls 23 February 1983 13 December 1982* Hereford & Worcester Worcester Nunnery Wood Secondary Martley, The Chantry Secondary 23 February 1983 21 September 1982 Avon Greenways (Boys) Comprehensive 24 February 1983 25 June 1982* Kent St. John's CE Secondary 24 February 1983 25 June 1982* Kent Lavsanne Secondary 24 February 1983 13 May 1982 and 7 May 1982 Solihull Culey Green Secondary 7 March 1983 13 May 1982 and 7 May 1982 Solihull Kingshurst Secondary 7 March 1983 13 May 1982 and 7 May 1982 Solihull Sharmans 7 March 1983 13 May 1982 and 7 May 1982 Solihull Cross Secondary 7 March 1983 13 May 1982 and 7 May 1982 Solihull Malvern Hall Secondary 7 March 1983 26 August 1982* Bexley Hill View Secondary 8 March 1983 11 August 1982 N. Yorks Barlby High 6 April 1983 11 August 1982 N. Yorks Brayton High 6 April 1983 11 August 1982 N. Yorks Selby High 6 April 1983 11 August 1982 N. Yorks Staynor High 6 April 1983 28 July 1982† Wolverhampton Bilston 6th Form Centre 7 April 1983 15 October 1982 Notts Roland Green Secondary 19 April 1983 15 October 1982 Notts Mundella Secondary 19 April 1983 15 October 1982 Notts Cottesmore Secondary 19 April 1983 15 October 1982 Notts Peveril Secondary 19 April 1983 15 October 1982 Notts Claremont Secondary 19 April 1983 30 September 1982 North Tyneside St. Aidans RC High 22 April 1983 26 November 1982* Cambridgeshire Burwell Village Secondary College 5 May 1983 19 January 1983 ILEA St. Austin's RC Secondary 16 June 1983 12 December 1982* N. Tyneside Longbenton High 8 July 1983 15 January 1983 Lancs Bacup Blackthorn County Secondary 21 June 1983 28 April 1983 Beds Beech Hill High 14 November 1983 1 July 1983* ILEA St. William of York 30 November 1983
§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how much importance he attaches to parents and teachers being able to meet and formulate and exchange views prior to making statutory objections to proposals put forward by local authorities to close or amalgamate secondary schools pursuant to the Education Act 1980;
(2) what guidance he has given local authorities on the appropriate period and methods of consultation he would expect prior to publication of proposals to close or amalgamate secondary schools pursuant to the Education Act 1980.
§ Sir Keith JosephI made it clear to local education authorities in circular 2/80 the importance I attach to their giving parents, teachers and governors the opportunity to make their views known on any statutory proposals affecting them in the 12 months' period before such26W proposals are published. The appropriateness of these consultations is one of the factors I examine carefully when I consider those proposals which fall to me to be decided.