§ Mr. OttawayTo ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to monitor the parental right of withdrawal in relation to sex education; and how this right is reflected in the revised version of the framework for the inspection of schools; [16088]
(2) if guidance for inspection of sex education policy and implementation in schools' programmes will be included in the revised version of the framework for inspection of schools; [16090]
(3) how many and which organisations have responded to the consultation carried out by Ofsted on the proposed revision of the framework for the inspection of schools; [16089]
(4) what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to ensure the effectiveness of schools' governing bodies for health education and sex education; and how these are reflected in the revised version of the framework for inspection of schools. [16087]
§ Mr. ForthThe new statutory requirements for sex education, under the Education Act 1993, came into force on 1 September 1994. The Department's circular 5/94 offered guidance on the implementation of the new arrangements, including the role of school governors and the exercise of the parental right of withdrawal. We have no plans at present to monitor specifically the right of withdrawal.
Questions on the framework of inspection are a matter for Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools, Chris Woodhead. I have asked him to reply to the hon. Member.