§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to her answer of 4 November,Official Report, column 379, concerning the selection of pupils for secondary schools by aptitude or ability, what studies she has evaluated in respect of the indications of general academic ability at the age of 16 years which can be predicted by tests at the age of 11 years; who are the admissions authorities determining which tests are to be applied; and how many persons will be responsible for making these decisions. [2984]
§ Mr. Robin SquireResearch on value added in education consistently shows that prior attainment is the best single predictor of subsequent academic performance. Local education authorities and schools often compare the attainment of pupils entering secondary education with achievements at age 16, for management and other purposes. It is for the relevant school admission authority to decide if tests of aptitude or ability should form part of the admissions process.
§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to her answer of 4 November,Official Report, columns 379–80, concerning the proposed duty of grant-maintained and non-grant-maintained secondary schools to consider annually the introduction of selective entry, what estimate she has made of the percentage of parents of primary school children who prefer selective admission arrangements for secondary schools; and what sample polls she has conducted concerning such preferences. [2993]
§ Mr. SquireA survey carried out for the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, published on 22 January 1996, found that half those parents surveyed favoured selective education. Existing selective schools are popular with parents and many are significantly oversubscribed.