HC Deb 08 July 1986 vol 101 cc131-2W
36. Mr. Soames

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on progress on introducing the GCSE.

Mr. Chris Patten

The Government have devoted £10 million to a training programme for the GCSE which is the most ambitious ever mounted. Schools will be able to close for two days this term to complete the training programme. Together, the LEAs and Government are directing £60 million this year to books and equipment for the new exams. The Government will be making available a further £20 million over the next two years. Almost all syllabuses are now approved and most of them are in schools. I welcome the fact that all the teachers' associations are now co-operating in preparation for the GCSE.

46. Mr. Maples

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what response he has received to the steps he recently announced to help teachers prepare for the GCSE.

Mr. Alton

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations he has received concerning the funding available for the introduction of the GCSE.

Mr. Chris Patten

Since my right hon. Friend's announcement of 10 June of increased support for books and equipment to the GCSE, both the NUT and the NAS/UWT have advised their members to co-operate with the preparations for the introduction of the GCSE. The Department has received a general welcome for this announcement, including an official response from the Professional Association of Teachers.

58. Mr. Cyril D. Townsend

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many syllabuses have now been approved for the GCSE.

Mr. Chris Patten

The Secondary Examinations Council has now approved 281 GCSE syllabuses which virtually completes the programme for the approval of syllabuses. The examining groups have already circulated most of the approved versions and they will distribute the remainder as soon as possible.

67. Mr. Bellingham

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from Norfolk county council about preparations for the GCSE.

Mr. Chris Patten

The Department has received no recent representations from Norfolk county council about preparations for the GCSE. However, my right hon. Friend will be meeting a deputation from Norfolk county council in the middle of July.

75. Mr. John Mark Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations he has received from local education authorities about the implementation of the new GCSE programme.

Mr. Chris Patten

Since the beginning of June the Department has received six letters from local education authorities about the arrangements for the introduction of the GCSE. The authorities concerned are: Avon; Buckinghamshire; Devon; Kingston; North Yorkshire; and Shropshire.

I also met a deputation from Bradford on 27 June to discuss GCSE issues. The main issues raised concerned the provision of resources and the training programme.