§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) which teachers of deaf children are required to hold a qualification for teaching the deaf; [19895]
(2) what specialist qualifications for teaching the deaf are required of a teacher of hearing-impaired children in a special unit where that child is registered in a mainstream class. [19897]
§ Mrs. GillanTeachers of classes of hearing impaired children, including teachers of children registered in a mainstream class but taught in a special unit, are required to gain a qualification recognised by the Secretary of State, within three years of appointment.
§ Mr. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate her Department has made of(a) the number of schools and (b) the number of special classes, in England and Wales, which require teachers with a qualification for teaching the deaf. [19896]
§ Mrs. GillanIn January 1995 there were 28 maintained and 13 non-maintained special schools for children with hearing impairments—source: table 10 of "Statistical Bulletin", 9/96. The Department does not collect statistics on special classes for hearing impaired children. Teachers of such a class, whether in a special school or a mainstream school, must gain an approved qualification.
Questions relating to schools in Wales are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
§ Mr. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if statements made for(a) deaf and (b) visually impaired children below statutory school age, require prior consultation with an appropriately qualified teacher under the Education Act 1981; and if she will make a statement. [19894]
295W
§ Mrs. GillanThe Education (Special Educational Needs) Regulations 1994 require local education authorities making a statutory assessment of a child with hearing and/or visual impairment to seek advice from a teacher with a relevant qualification. The Government have no plans to change this requirement.