HC Deb 11 December 2003 vol 415 cc606-7W
Adam Price

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he has had with the education ministers of(a) the National Assembly for Wales and (b) the Scottish Parliament on educational attainment in coalfield communities. [142947]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

I have regular discussions with Ministers from both the National Assembly for Wales and the Scottish Parliament regarding education matters (including educational attainment). However these discussions have not related to educational attainment in coalfield communities specifically.

Adam Price

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he and his officials have had with the Coalfield Communities Campaign on the levels of educational attainment in coalfield communities. [142948]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

My officials have an on-going dialogue with the Coalfield Communities Campaign on issues that need to be addressed in order to improve educational attainment.

Adam Price

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what studies of education attainment in coalfield communities have been undertaken since the 2001 Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research Study. [142949]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

Following the DfES commissioned study "Patterns of Educational Attainment in the British Coalfields", to which the hon. Gentleman refers in his question, my Department, together with the Coalfields Community Campaign, commissioned a further research project, "Raising Attainment in Schools in the Former Coalfield areas", with a view to learning more about factors that have led to school improvement in these areas. This research drew up case studies of eight schools in coalfield areas that are doing well, despite challenging circumstances.

The final report has recently been distributed to all secondary schools in coalfields areas as a tool for strengthening performance.