§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what information is available to his Department regarding the number of children below the statutory age of education likely to be present in the admissions classes of maintained primary schools in September 1989; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what information is available to his Department regarding the number and proportion of admissions classes in maintained primary schools that contained one or more children below the statutory age of education in September 1987, or the last year for which records are available; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherThis information is not currently available.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement regarding the proposed implementation of national curriculum programmes of study in the admissions classes of primary schools in September 1989, and the proposed treatment of children below the statutory age of education.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe requirement to teach all foundation subjects for a reasonable time will apply to all children as they reach compulsory school age. However, my right hon. Friend intends to make transitional arrangements for the school year 1989–90 to assist the introduction of the national curriculum's attainment targets and programmes of study in primary schools. Those in place at the beginning of that year will apply to all pupils who have reached statutory school age by the start of the autumn term 1989. For pupils reaching statutory school age during 1989–90, however, attainment targets and programmes of study will not apply until the following year.
Further information about these arrangements is given in paragraph 35 in the Department's draft circular "The Education Reform Act 1988: The School Curriculum and Assessment", published on 17 October 1988, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.