§ Ms. Estelle MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) how many schools are involved in the pilot scheme for the assessment of English at key stage 3;
(2) what is the timetable for the announcement of the detailed nature of testing of key stage 3 English;
(3) what consultation will take place following the completion of pilot tests for key stage 3 English, before a final decision on the design of the tests is announced;
(4) who is responsible for making the decision about the nature of testing of English at key stage 3; who has acted as advisers to those making the decision; and what evidence is being used to support the decision;
(5) what consultation has taken place on the assessment and testing of key stage 3 English;
(6) how responses to the pilot tests of assessment of English at key stage 3 are to be collected; and what part those responses will play in determining the final shape of the tests.
§ Mr. ForthThe first national tests of English for 14-year-olds will take place in June 1993. The decision on the exact content of those tests rests with my right hon. Friend. In making his decision he will be drawing on advice from the School Examinations and Assessment Council (SEAC) under its chairman, Lord Griffiths of Fforestfach.
Under the direction of SEAC, pilot tests were conducted in schools in 1990, 1991, and 1992. At each stage there has been careful evaluation with the views of teachers being taken into account. The lessons learned have fed into further improvement and refinement.
This month SEAC tried out the 1993 test materials in 32 schools involving approximately 3,000 pupils. A second trial will be held in January 1993. A full evaluation of these trials, including the comments of the schools themselves, will inform the content of the national tests.
Preliminary guidance on the 1993 tests was issued by SEAC to schools in September. Further and more detailed guidance for teachers about the nature and format of next year's tests is being distributed. More information will be sent to schools as early as possible next year.
Pupils in one teacher classes in maintained primary schools in England by size of class Classes of size: up to 30 31–35 36–40 41 and over January 1986 Inner London Boroughs1 120,505 3,554 36 147 Outer London Boroughs 240,912 56,950 4,444 508 Metropolitan Districts 665,406 171,742 17,664 2,899 County Councils 1,481,240 564,750 59,172 4,847 All England 2,508,063 796,996 81,316 8,401 January 1987 Inner London Boroughs1 124,900 3,159 0 0 Outer London Boroughs 246,163 53,952 2,746 372 Metropolitan Districts 676,861 169,260 16,808 3,745 County Councils 1,523,464 542,902 52,216 3,800