§ Mrs. Helen JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education how many nursery places have been lost through school closures in the primary sector in 1991–92.
§ Mr. ForthInformation on the effects of school closures on nursery places is not collected centrally in the form requested. The number of full-time and part-time pupils attending maintained nursery schools and nursery classes in maintained primary schools in England increased from 318,000 in January 1991 to 330,000 in January 1992.
§ Mrs. Helen JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidelines are issued to local education50W authorities in connection with reducing surplus places in the primary sector to protect (a) nursery places and (b) purpose-built nursery resources.
§ Mr. ForthNo specific guidelines have been issued. It is initially for LEAs to decide in the light of local circumstances the most appropriate means of rationalising school provision. We would expect LEAs to consult all interested parties before deciding on such action.
§ Mr. SteinbergTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the total number of(a) full-time nursery teachers and (b) part-time nursery teachers in state schools for each year since 1982.
§ Mr. ForthInformation on the numbers of qualified nursery teachers in nursery schools and nursery classes in maintained primary schools in England in January of each year from 1982 to 1992 are shown in the table.
Qualified teachers in nursery schools and nursery classes in maintained primary schools Full-time teachers Full-time equivalent of part-time teachers 1992 6,815 492.1 1991 6,851 434.5 1990 6,784 364.8 1989 6,674 291.1 1988 6,687 240.5 1987 6,460 259.3 1986 6,333 220.0 1985 6,205 186.6 1984 6,094 167.1 1983 6,113 152.8 1982 5,989 150.3