§ Dr. SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Education in how many(a) secondary schools and (b) primary schools the taught week falls below the minimum acceptable level; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe minimum hours of taught lesson time per week recommended by the Department are 21 hours for five to seven-year-olds—key stage 1—23.5 hours for eight to 11-year-olds—key stage 2—and 24 hours for 12 to 16-year-olds—key stages 3 and 4. The numbers of maintained primary, middle and secondary schools in January 1993 reporting fewer hours per week than the recommended minima at each key stage were: 1,000 at key stage 1; 7,900 at key stage 2; 1,100 at key stage 3 and 800 at key stage 4. There may be some "double counting" in these results because schools generally provide for two and possibly three key stages.