§ 100. Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of the factors which most influence whether schools and local authorities achieve good public examination results.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe Department has undertaken numerous analyses and commissioned research in this field. HM Inspectorate also records and comments upon examination results in its reports on schools, local education authorities and aspects of the education system.
In the light of the evidence, my right hon. Friend has concluded that the major influence on examination results is the quality of teaching and organisation of individual schools. The reforms now being instituted under the Education Reform Act, including in particular the introduction of the national curriculum, are intended to improve the quality of teaching and learning in all schools, and across all local education authorities.