§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will make it her policy to apply the same educational standards to schools with fewer than five children as apply to those with higher numbers. [14986]
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe educational standards required by the national curriculum and the statutory national curriculum assessment and testing arrangements apply to all five to 16-year-olds in every maintained school,234W regardless of the numbers of pupils on roll. The national curriculum and testing are already raising standards in these schools.
Independent schools, and independent establishments catering for fewer than five children aged five to 16 are not required to follow the national curriculum, although many independent schools choose to do so. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to alter the existing statutory requirements.