§ Mr. SteinbergTo ask the Secretary of State for Education how many tenders OFSTED has received for the first group of schools to be inspected; and how many of these tenders have been accepted;
(2) how many school inspectors OFSTED has trained and registered to inspect secondary schools in the autumn; and what is the minimum number of school inspectors necessary to inspect schools in England and Wales every four years;
(3) how many school inspectors registered by OFSTED are currently (a) based in local authorities and (b) from private consultancies.
§ Mr. ForthThe arrangements for inspecting schools under the Education (Schools) Act 1992 are a matter for OFSTED.
I have asked Professor Sutherland to write to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. SteinbergTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the average cost of a school inspection by his Department's inspectors; and what is his estimate of the average cost of a school inspection by OFSTED inspectors.
§ Mr. ForthInspections of schools formerly carried out by Her Majesty's inspectorate as part of the Department for Education varied in cost from about £4,500 to about £35,000. The cost of inspections carried out under the Education (Schools) Act in accordance with OFSTED's framework of guidance are a matter for Professor Sutherland.
I have asked Professor Sutherland to write to the hon. Member.