HC Deb 17 March 1987 vol 112 c469W
46. Mr. Ashdown

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he has taken to monitor the quality of general certificate of secondary education provision in schools; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

We are monitoring the GCSE in its early years, and discussions are currently being held with the GCSE examining groups and teachers' associations as part of this exercise. In addition, Her Majesty's inspectorate is conducting its own monitoring exercise which involves:

  1. (a) focusing on GCSE issues and classroom practice during normal school and subject specialist visits;
  2. (b) termly discussions with LEA officers, inspectors and advisers;
  3. (c) annual analysis of LEAs' expenditure policies; and
  4. (d) an evaluation of GCSE in-service teacher training.