HC Deb 23 April 1991 vol 189 c409W
Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives he will take to assist(a) head teachers and (b) teachers who must assess pupils under the national curriculum.

Sir Wyn Roberts

The Government have made available considerable assistance to support head teachers and teachers in Wales in preparation for this year's first statutory assessment of seven-year-olds. This includesapproval of specific grant aided expenditure up to £2.3 million in 1991–92 for training and in support of administrative arrangements; an extra day's school closure specifically for primary school teachers involved in the assessment of seven-year-olds; a computer-based system, developed jointly with LEAs, to cut down the burden of teachers in calculating the detailed assessment results; comprehensive guidance material and training seminars provided through the School Examination and Assessment Council and LEAs.