§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans she has to review the legislation preventing educational centres from being classed as independent schools if they have fewer than five children.
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe provisions of the Education Act 1944 governing the registration and monitoring of independent schools apply only to those educating five or more full-time pupils of compulsory school age. We have no present plans for legislation to extend those provisions to other independent institutions which are generally subject to separate monitoring arrangements.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education in what circumstances Her Majesty's inspectorate is able to inspect schools with fewer than five children.
§ Mr. ForthAll maintained schools, whatever the number of pupils, are required to be regularly inspected under the Ofsted inspection arrangements.
Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools also has the power to inspect independent schools. Independent schools are defined as institutions which provide full-time education for five or more pupils of compulsory school age. Independent institutions caring for children under compulsory school age are generally subject to separate monitoring arrangements.