§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment has been made by Ofsted of the summer schools programme; and what changes will be made this year. [73198]
§ Ms Estelle Morris[holding answer 9 March 1999]: I have asked Chris Woodhead, HM Chief Inspector of Schools, to write to my hon. Friend to address the first part of his question regarding Ofsted's assessment of the summer schools programme, and for a copy of his letter to be placed in the Library.
This summer, the numeracy programme will expand from a pilot of 51 schools to over 300 schools and 9,000 pupils.
For Literacy the number of schools participating in this summer's programme will rise from over 500 schools to 900 schools catering for over 27,000 pupils. Each school will also introduce a literacy intervention programme during the first four terms of secondary school, to support those children who transfer from primary to secondary with poor literacy skills.
§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what evaluation he has undertaken of the effectiveness of literacy summer schools. [74772]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisEvaluation of the 1998 Summer Schools Programme was carried out by the National Foundation for Educational Research. A report of the key findings will be made available to Local Education Authorities next week. Copies will be placed in the Library.
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