HC Deb 15 October 2002 vol 390 cc767-8W
Dr. Harris

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what assessment her Department has made of the impact of phased admission to reception classes on children born in May, June, July and August; [74281]

(2) what consideration her Department has given to the provision of part-time teaching within a school environment at the beginning of the academic year for children who will not become five years old until the months of May, June, July and August. [74283]

Mr. Miliband

Admission arrangements for infant and primary schools, including the timing of admission to school, are matters for the admission authority. For most schools this is the Local Education Authority but for some it is the Governing Body.

Many schools which admit children before compulsory school age do so initially on a part-time basis, particularly for the younger four year olds. Although the Government has not specifically assessed the impact of phased or part-time intake to reception classes, in September 2001 we published a summary of independent research into the effects of children starting school at different ages. This reported that research on the school starting age and summer born children is inconclusive.

What is important is the quality of care and learning experiences very young children receive. Young children in reception classes receive provision, as part of the Foundation Stage, which is appropriate for their age and stage of development.

Dr. Harris

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the local education authorities operating(a) a single fixed date of admission to reception classes and (b) a system of phased admission. [74280]

Mr. Miliband

Information on the pattern of admissions into schools is not collected centrally.

Admission authorities—the Local Education Authority for community and controlled schools (unless it has delegated authority to the governing body) and the governing body for foundation and aided schools—set their own admission arrangements, including how many pupils are to be admitted and when they are to be admitted. (Some infant schools admit children at the beginning of each term).