HC Deb 09 December 1996 vol 287 cc7-8W
Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many and what proportion of consultees who responded to the section on extending the freedom of grant-maintained schools in the White Paper, "Self-Government for Schools" were in favour of the proposed extensions. [6925]

Mr. Forth

[holding answer 28 November 1996]: We received 637 responses to the White Paper "Self-Government for Schools". More than three quarters were from LEAs and LEA-maintained schools. Less than 2 per cent. were from GM bodies and GM schools. The table gives the information requested.

Proposal Number of responses commenting on the relevant proposal Number and percentage in favour
To remove the requirement for GM schools to publish statutory proposals to:
(a) open or close a nursery 176 7(4)
(b) open or close a sixth form 195 6(3)
(c) add or remove boarding provision 152 5(3)

Mrs. Gillan

[holding answer 28 November 1996]: The following list for 1996 shows the average GCSE point scores, in 5 per centile groups, ranked by their 15-year-old pupils' achievements. The figures are based on the school performance tables published in November and exclude data from the published schools that had fewer than 10 pupils aged 15. The averages quoted are simple averages, based on the sums of the percentages divided by the number of schools involved. Data for earlier years have been provided on a slightly different basis from those given in the reply to the hon. Member's questions of 7 November and 19 December 1995, Official Report, columns 960 and 1034 respectively.

Proposal Number of responses commenting on the relevant proposal Number and percentage in favour
(d) expand their capacity by up to 50 per cent. 188 5(3)