§ Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if Her Majesty's inspectorate has any plans to inquire into personnel management in the education department of Brent council; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldMy right hon. Friend has asked Her Majesty's inspectorate to advise him on the quality of education received by pupils and students in establishments maintained by the Brent LEA. A series of inspections of schools in Brent is being undertaken. There will be published Her Majesty's inspectorate reports on each of the schools inspected in the normal way. The findings will then, together with evidence from other recent inspections and discussions with a range of interested parties, be pulled together into a single overall report on aspects of education in Brent.
Her Majesty's inspectorate is focussing on the actual provision of education in schools and classrooms in Brent. It is not its function directly to inspect the personnel management procedures in local education authorities, or other aspects of their internal administration. However, should evidence from the schools raise issues which, in the judgment of Her Majesty's inspectorate, appear to reflect 385W on the ways in which the Brent LEA conducts its business, then reference to these will be made in its report. When he receives the report, my right hon. Friend will consider it carefully and, as appropriate, follow up with the LEA any issues arising.