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Dept for Education and Employment

Answer

Mr. Forman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the future of Langham secondary school, Haringey.[38773] Mr. Robin Squire: The following letter was today sent by an official of the Department to the chairman of the governing body of Langham school, Haringey: "I am directed by the Secretary of State to thank you for your letter received on 14 June 1996 giving the governing body's response to Mr. Stark's letter of 9 May 1996, which consulted you on a proposal to provide for Langham School to be conducted by an Education Association." The Secretary of State has considered carefully all the responses she has received, including the representations made by the school's governors and the chief education officer of Haringey when they met with the Minister for Schools, Mr. Squire on 2 July. The Secretary of State notes that the Governors have a clear sense of purpose and show dedication to the school. She notes that they have taken a firm grip on finance and management, and that in June they appointed a substantive head teacher and deputy head teacher. She also notes that in the past few months there have been encouraging signs of improvement at the school, including a sharp fall in permanent exclusions, an improvement in the key stage 3 SAT results, and an increase in the proportion of pupils entered for GCSEs. She also notes the Governors' assurances that measures are in hand to improve the quality of teaching, including where necessary competence proceedings. She has also noted the assurances from Haringey LEA that it will provide continued support to underpin improvements at the school.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

38773; 281 c655W;281 c654-5W

Session

1995-96

Subjects

Education Standards Schools Langham School Haringey