HC Deb 16 October 2001 vol 372 cc1185-6W
Mr. Boswell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she will publish further details of the revised arrangements for AS-level examinations and assessment in the academic year. [7261]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

On Wednesday 12 September 2001 the Secretary of State announced the new changes to the AS examination timetable and assessment as part of the review of the A-level reforms. The Joint Council for General Qualifications (JCGQ) sent information about the were excluded from sitting SATS because they were (a) statemented for special educational needs or (b) in the process of being assessed for special educational needs. [7257]

Mr. Timms

[holding answer 15 October 2001]The national curriculum test and teacher assessments are designed to allow as many pupils as possible to have access to them. There may, however, be a small number of pupils who are unable to take part in some or all of the assessments. In such instances the national curriculum and/or the tests and teacher assessments may be disapplied for a particular pupil. Pupils may be disapplied through a statement of special educational needs or because they are awaiting an assessment of special educational needs. However, there may be other circumstances where it is necessary to disapply pupils temporarily (for example, pupils recently arrived from a different educational system who require a period of adjustment).

The national curriculum test and teacher assessment results information collected for disapplied pupils includes the total number of pupils disapplied in each subject at each key stage. This information does not differentiate between pupils with statements of special educational needs, those in the process of being assessed or between long term and temporary disapplication.

The following table provides information on the total number of pupils disapplied in each subject at Key Stages 1–3 in each of the last five years (1996–2001). Figures rounded to the nearest hundred.

changes to all schools and colleges on 12 September. Information on the arrangements can also be found on awarding bodies' and Joint Council's websites. The Joint Council will issue more detailed information on 17 October.