HC Deb 07 July 1986 vol 101 cc47-9W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many reports by Her Majesty's Inspectorate have now been published on individual schools and colleges; and what is the average length of time between inspection and publication of such reports.

non-teaching staff were employed in the public sector education system in each of the most recent 10 years for which he has information.

Mr. Chris Patten

Figures for the public sector education system in England are as follows:

Mr. Dunn

Since 1 January 1983 there have been a total of 626 reports published on schools and colleges on the basis of full inspections. There have also been 175 reports published on other educational establishments and surveys of provision. The average time between inspection and publication is nine months. It remains the aim of HMI that reports should be issued to individual institutions within six months of an inspection. They are working to achieve that time-scale. However, no institution or governing body has to wait that long to know the findings of the inspections as HMI discuss these and other matters with the head and staff during and at the end of each inspection and with the governing bodies shortly after.