§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what will be the membership of the new advisory group on school improvement; and if she will make a statement. [29477]
§ Mr. ForthMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 25 May a wide-ranging programme designed to raise standards in all our schools. The programme brings together the work of Government Departments and other agencies of central and local government, and also the resources of universities and schools. I will chair an advisory group which will carry this work forward. Its membership will be as follows: 639W
- Mr. Sandy Adamson—Director of Planning at the Funding Agency for Schools
- Professor Michael Barber—Professor of Education, Keele University
- Ms Julie Barton—Headteacher, Cambridge Special School, Hammersmith
- Mrs. Patricia Clarke—Headteacher, Avondale Park Primary School, Kensington
- Mrs. Pat Collarbone—Headteacher, Haggerston School, Hackney
- Mrs. Heather Du Quesnay—Director of Education, Hertfordshire
- Mr. Jim Rose—Director of Inspection, Office for Standards in Education.Mr. Brian Stevens—Director of External Relations at the British Bankers' Association.
- Ms Frankie Sulke—Head of Policy, Teacher Training Agency
The group will assist in co-ordinating the work of the different agencies, and advise the Secretary of State on possible further action to improve schools. The members are appointed for one year, at which point the Secretary of State will review progress made.