HC Deb 20 October 1992 vol 212 cc245-7W
Mr. Brazier

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Queen Victoria school will be established as an executive agency.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The Queen Victoria school began to operate as an executive agency with effect from 1 April 1992. The framework document has been printed and copies will be placed in the Library of both Houses. The targets which have been set for the school in its first year of operation as an agency are as follows:

Academic and Curriculum

  1. 1. Annually, to achieve:
    1. (a) for S4 pupils, at least three standard grade passes at grade 1 to 3 for 90 per cent. of pupils; and
    2. (b) at least five standard grade passes at grade 1 to 3 for 60 per cent. of pupils;
    3. (c) for S5/6 pupils, at least three higher grade passes at grade A to C for 60 per cent. of pupils or Scottish Vocational Education Council (Scotvec) equivalent.
  2. 2. By 31 August 1992, to develop a "5 to 14 Development Programme" in line with the Scottish Office Education Department—SOED—recommendations including a system for parental response on quality and choice.

extent to which a member state complies with criteria concerning the rate of inflation; the Government's fiscal position; observance of the normal fluctuation margins within the ERM; and long-term interest rate levels. In addition, the reports must take account of the number of other factors, including the developments of the ecu, the integration of markets, balance of payments on current account, and the development of unit labour costs and other price indices.

The protocol on the convergence criteria, attached to the treaty, sets out figures for the convergence criteria regarding inflation and long-term interest rates. In addition, the protocol on the excessive deficit procedure, sets out reference values for fiscal criteria, which, if breached, would prompt a Commission report to the Council on the fiscal position of a member state—such a report being the basis on which the Council would judge whether an excessive deficit existed. The position of each member state, in respect of the figures and reference values set out in the protocols, is given in the table.

Pastoral 3. To respond to recommendations of Her Majesty's inspectors of schools on pastoral provision and organisation with six months of receipt of that report.

Extra Curricular Provision 4. To maintain and enrich at least 50 extra curricular activities, both physical and cultural, involving pupils aged 10 to 15 in at least three per week and those aged 16 to 18 in at least two

Management 5. By March 1993, to assess and report on pay and grading structures in the school and associated allowances and rents. 6. To implement teacher appraisal and development procedures in line with SOED guidelines and timetable, including a pastoral element. 7. By April 1993, to develop management and financial information systems, including baseline pupil per capita costs, that satisfy all management and accounting requirements. 8. By April 1993, to identify areas for efficiency savings in order to:—

  1. (a) reduce pupil per capita costs by 2 per cent. in financial year 1993–94 while at least maintaining present standards.
  2. (b) set targets for future years.

9. By June 1993, to examine the feasibility of admitting girls and fee-paying pupils, and the extent of provision required for them.

10. By June 1993, to develop and implement a strategy for income generation using the school's facilities.

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