SERVICE CHILDREN'S SCHOOLS (NORTH WEST EUROPE) (Hansard, 21 April 1993)

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Viscount Cranborne)

The Chief Executive of Service Children's Schools (North West Europe) (SCS (NWE)) has been set the following key targets for 1993–94, the agency's third year of operation:

1. To continue the implementation, so far as is feasible in the British Forces Germany (BFG) situation, of the Education Reform Act to the statutory timetable laid down for England and Wales by:

(a) Introducing the National Curriculum to SCS (NWE) by subject and key stage.
(b) Introducing pupil assessment by subject and key stage.
(c) Implementing teacher appraisal.

2. To continue to implement the SCS (NWE) "Schools for the Future" Development Plan in line with BFG drawdown and to action the following:

(a) Issue guidance regarding the admission of non-entitled pupils and adult learners.
(b) Make provision for support services to schools during, and beyond the drawdown process.
(c) Implement child protection procedures in all remaining schools.
(d) Work towards improved provision for pre-school children with special needs.
(e) Implement the Service Children's Education Authority policy and procedures for health and safety in schools.

3. To produce management and school development plans reflecting the introduction of Local Management of Schools into SCS (NWE) to enable "taut" full cost financial and management planning within an agreed budget and to achieve annual efficiency savings of at least 3 per cent.
4. To maintain the overall pass rate at GCSE (grades A-G) and to improve the proportion of students gaining "A" level grades A-E by 2 percentage points, and to achieve an 80 per cent. pass rate in BTEC First Diploma courses, whilst extending the range of vocational courses available to post-16 students as alternatives to "A" level courses, to attract a larger proportion of 16–19 and mature students.
5. To ensure that all teachers meet at least 2 of the 4 qualification match criteria for their post with at least 95 per cent. meeting 3 and 90 per cent. all 4. The criteria are:

(a) A recognised professional qualification.
(b) Relevant specialist subject or phase qualifications.
(c) Broad and relevant previous teaching experience.
(d) Relevant post-entry in-service training.

6. To continue to implement Parent's Charter requirements for:

(a) An annual progress report to parents.
(b) A transfer report on change of school.
(c) Keeping parents informed of relevant education developments.
(d) Standard attainment test and external examination results reported to parents annually.
(e) The introduction of parental choice of schools in SCS(NWE).

7. To submit an application for a Charter Mark by 30th June 1993.
8. To develop the role of schools advisory committees including training members in order to match their function with governing bodies of schools in UK.