§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what procedures will be used to ensure that age-related testing takes account of missed schooling due to hospitalisation or other factors relating to a child's physical disability.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe Education Reform Bill provides that the national curriculum requirements, including assessment arrangements, may be modified in respect of a pupil with a statement of special educational needs under the 1981 Act, or in other cases specified in the orders prescribing those requirements for foundation subjects. In addition, where, as can happen now, following a period of missed schooling, a pupil is being taught among a younger age group, the Bill will enable the pupil to be assessed against the attainment targets for that age group. The task group on assessment and testing, and the individual subject working groups, will be advising my right hon. Friend on what account might be taken of the needs of pupils in these circumstances, bearing in mind that the assessment arrangements are intended to identify what stage a pupil has reached and what further help may be needed.