HC Deb 16 January 1989 vol 145 cc18-9W
Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what is his timetable for making regulations under section 17 and section 19 of the Educational Reform Act 1988 regarding provision within the national curriculum for children with special educational needs; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if he will make it his policy not to lay before this House draft orders for mathematics and science within the national curriculum until after he has published proposals for regulations under section 17 and section 19 of the Education Reform Act 1988 regarding provision for children with special educational needs; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

There is no need for regulations under section 17 regarding provision for children with special educational needs to be drafted before orders for attainment targets and programmes of study for mathematics and science are made. The National Curriculum Council has advised my right hon. Friend that these orders should apply to all pupils without modification, with every effort being made to facilitate access for all pupils including those with a statement of special educational needs made under the Education Act 1981. My right hon. Friend proposes that the mathematics and science requirements should not, however, apply to pupils with statements of special educational needs until autumn 1990. This will give time for statements to be revised to modify or disapply the requirements if necesary.

If section 17 regulations are needed in respect of national curriculum requirements to be introduced in 1990 and subsequently, my right hon. Friend will ensure that the necessary consultations take place in good time.

Regulations under section 19 about temporary exemptions to national curriculum requirements will not be specific to particular subjects. It is my right hon. Friend's intention to consult on draft regulations shortly, so that the regulations can take effect from 1 August 1989 at the same time as the first statutory requirements relating to the national curriculum.