§ Mr. FraserTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he intends to take to consult the parents, pupils and staff of Sylvan high school about the proposal by the London borough of Croydon to close the school.
§ Mrs. RumboldAny local authority wishing to close a school must follow the statutory procedures laid down by the Education Acts. Under section 12 of the Education Act312W 1980, authorities must publish their proposals and submit a copy to my right hon. Friend. There follows a two-month period during which statutory objections can be submitted to the local education authority. Proposals concerning county schools fall to my right hon. Friend to decide if statutory objections have been submitted or if he exercises his power to call them in. In making his decision on proposals which fall to him to decide, my right hon. Friend weighs carefully the views expressed by those who support or oppose the proposals. My right hon. Friend expects the local education authority concerned—in this case, the London borough of Croydon—to have carried out appropriate consultation with those affected before publishing proposals.