§ Mr. HobanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research has been done on the impact of closing schools on(a) the educational attainment of former pupils in their new schools, (b) local communities and (c) areas of social deprivation. [85552]
§ Mr. Miliband[holding answer 5 December 2002]: Decisions on whether to close schools are taken by the local School Organisation Committee or, if the committee cannot agree unanimously, by the independent Schools Adjudicator. Guidance issued by the Secretary of State requires both bodies to consider a range of factors in making their decision. For school closures, the factors include the effect on standards of educational provision, the need to preserve access to a local school for rural communities and access to community facilities, particularly in areas of social deprivation. The Department has not commissioned any research into the impact of school closures. However, where a failing school is closed, it is usual for the former pupils to show greatly increased attainment or better rates of progress at their new schools.