§ Mr. PendryTo ask the Secretary of State for Education how many submissions were made to the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority on its consultation paper on the national curriculum proposals at key stage 4; how many expressed a view on physical education; and how many submissions expressed a view on the imposition of compulsory participation in competitive team games, indicating the numbers of (i) those in favour and (ii) those against.
§ Mr. ForthThe total number of written responses on the proposals for physical education was 4,072, of which 173 agreed that it should be compulsory for 14 to 16-year-old pupils to be taught a competitive game, while 529 disagreed. In weighing all the responses, including those views expressed at conferences, and in reaffirming the proposal, the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority took the view that pupils' and schools' choices were not unduly restricted, that it ensured progression throughout compulsory schooling in a key activity, and that it reflected existing practice in most schools. The total number of responses on the national curriculum proposals at key stage 4 is not available.