§ Judy MallaberTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what actions he is taking regarding the concerns expressed about the standards of pupil welfare at the Royal Ballet School. [32273]
§ Mr. ByersWe have taken firm steps to deal with those concerns. Richmond upon Thames Social Services Department has reported to me on the findings of its inspection of pupil welfare arrangements at the Royal Ballet School. It has recommended that the School should develop written policies and procedures for implementing equal opportunities and for dealing with complaints and with bullying; improve its pastoral support system and its methods of communicating with parents; review aspects of its approach to ballet teaching and pupil assessment; and enhance staff supervision, support and training. The Government endorse these recommendations. We have asked the School to prepare an action plan to implement these recommendations within a specified timescale, and the Social Services Department to monitor progress and undertake a follow-up inspection in the Autumn. We are also inviting OFSTED to undertake a full inspection of other aspects of the School's working during 1998–99.