§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education how many(a) head teachers and (b) teachers were suspended in (i) 1992–93 and (ii) 1993–94 following 625W allegations made against them by children in schools; and if he will estimate the teaching hours lost through suspensions.
§ Mr. ForthThis information is not held centrally. The power to suspend teachers rests with head teachers and governing bodies of schools with delegated budgets under schemes for the local management of schools. Local education authorities have such power only in respect of school teachers employed elsewhere. Neither schools nor LEAs are required to inform the Department for Education when they suspend a teacher.