§ Ms Estelle MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to institute a comprehensive system for monitoring the achievement levels of pupils according to ethnic origin. [29755]
§ Mrs. GillanAs I told the House on 21 November last year, we have introduced and are extending new arrangements to monitor the number of minority ethnic pupils and pupils for whom English is a second language in each maintained school. We also intend to obtain information about the progress of minority ethnic pupils in individual schools, by means of information gathered by Ofsted as part of its regular inspection cycle; and to undertake research as necessary, to look in greater depth at particular issues.
The Dearing review of 16–19 qualifications included a recommendation for work on developing a framework for national monitoring of candidate achievement by ethnic origin, which my right hon. Friend has remitted to the School Curriculum Authority and the National Council for Vocational Qualifications for further study and advice.