Written question asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Rooker (Labour) on Wednesday, 11 January 2006.

Northern Ireland: School Closures

Question: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 30 November (WA 47), whether they will provide the evidence that the closure of small schools resulted from each school failing to provide for the best educational interests of the pupils.

Answer: Small schools encounter difficulties and the smaller the school, the more acute those difficulties can become. Difficulties arise when children have to be taught in composite classes and do not have access to opportunities for social interaction and personal development that exist in larger schools, and where there is less scope for professional teacher development.The Department of Education considers all the relevant information relating to a proposal to close before a decision is taken. This includes the views of the relevant Employing Authorities and Boards, in the context of the individual school and the existing provision in the immediate area. In each of these cases, enrolments were falling, the projected intakes were small and the views of the Education and Training Inspectorate were taken, which was that the educational interests of the children would be served more effectively by approving the closure proposal and educating the children in a larger school.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 2941; 677 c72WA
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Northern Ireland: School Closures
Wednesday, 30 November 2005
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Admissions Closures Northern Ireland Primary education Standards
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk