Written question asked by Lord Willis of Knaresborough (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 15 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 21 December 2000. It was answered by Baroness Morris of Yardley (Labour) on Thursday, 21 December 2000 on behalf of the Department for Education and Employment.

Dept for Education and Employment

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will make a statement on the (a) vacancy levels and (b) turnover rate amongst (i) parent, (ii) LEA and (iii) co-opted school governors; and what principles underlay his proposals for streamlining governing bodies. - (Holding answer 20 December 2000).

Answer: Mr. Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the (a) vacancy levels and (b) turnover rate among (i) parent, (ii) LEA and (iii) co-opted school governors; and what principles underlay his proposals for streamlining governing bodies. [143598] Ms Estelle Morris: [holding answer 20 December 2000]: The Department does not routinely collect information on vacancy levels and turnover rates among school governors. Our proposals for streamlining governing bodies are designed to ensure that they focus on a less "hands on", more strategic approach to their responsibility for raising standards in schools, leaving head teachers to manage the day-to-day business. The Consultation on School Governing Bodies, launched on 18 November, also aims to lighten the executive burdens carried by governing bodies through transferring some--particularly staff- related responsibilities to heads. If those changes are agreed, we believe that it would be possible to have smaller governing bodies on which all the existing stakeholders would continue to be represented.

Secondary information