Written question asked by Nadine Dorries (Conservative) on Tuesday, 11 October 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 13 October 2005. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Wednesday, 19 October 2005 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Harlington Upper School

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the effects on students at Harlington Upper School in Bedfordshire during recent examinations, on building works under a private finance initiative project.

Answer: It is most regrettable if any disturbances are suffered by pupils during their public examinations. Officials have spoken to the local authority about this matter and the local authority has given its apologies for the disturbances suffered by the pupils concerned. The local authority envisaged that the measures put in place prior to the examination period would prevent any disturbance and acted to stop the noise as soon as problems were encountered. I am happy to confirm that all the details of the disturbances were reported to the examination boards so that due consideration could be given to the individual pupils involved.

Secondary information