§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations he has received from the governors of Newall Green high school in Manchester in regard to key stage III assessments; what reply he is sending; what action he is taking; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ForthMy right hon. Friend received a letter from the governors of Newall Green high school on 27 January. The Department gave a full reply on 22 February.
The tests are well prepared and will go ahead. My right hon. Friend has recognised that some schools and teachers need a year to get used to the tests. He has, therefore, decided that in future test results will be included in school performance tables from the second year of their introduction nationally. This means that the secondary school performance tables will include the results of the tests in English and technology from 1994.