HC Deb 21 March 1989 vol 149 c502W
Mr. Bowis

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, further to his announcement on 18 January,Official Report, column 401, when he intends to give details of the membership and terms of reference of the committee inquiring into the content of the educational experience of under-fives.

Mrs. Rumbold

The following have agreed to become members of the committee which is to be established under my chairmanship.Ms. Lesley Abbott, Principal Lecturer in Primary Education, Manchester Polytechnic. Professor Neville Bennett, Professor of Primary Education, University of Exeter. Mr. Peter Gedling, Chief Education Officer, Dorset. Mrs. Rose Johnson, Headteacher, Brentfield Primary School, Brent. Dr. Christine Pascal, Principal Lecturer in Primary Education, Worcester College of Higher Education. Mrs. Gillian Pugh, Head of Under Fives Unit, National Children's Bureau. Mrs. Ann Sharp, Adviser (Early Years), Sheffield Local Education Authority. Mrs. Jennie Shaw, Chairman, Pre-school Playgroups Association.

The Committee's terms of reference are: To consider the quality of the educational experience which should be offered to 3- and 4-year-olds, with particular reference to content, continuity and progression in learning, having regard to the requirements of the national curriculum and taking -account of the Government's expenditure plans. To take into account in this consideration:

  1. (a) the diversity of needs and of types of provision;
  2. (b) demographic and social factors;
  3. (c) the nature of training for teachers and other professional staff involved in the education of children under five.