Written question asked by James Clappison (Conservative) on Tuesday, 18 July 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 26 July 2000. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Wednesday, 26 July 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, what consultations have been carried out regarding the decision to close the sixth form of Bennfield Community College in order to bring about its reconfiguration as Corby Community College under the Fresh Start policy; what assessment he has made of the effect of this closure on the education of members of the present lower sixth in the college; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consultations have been carried out regarding the decision to close the sixth form of Beanfield Community College in order to bring about its reconfiguration as Corby Community College under the Fresh Start policy; what assessment he has made of the effect of this closure on the education of members of the present lower sixth in the college; and if he will make a statement. [131677] Mr. Wicks: The proposals to close the sixth form at Beanfield Community College were decided under the new arrangements for local decision making. Since September 1999, most decisions on statutory proposals have been taken by local School Organisation Committees. Statutory guidance requires those bringing forward proposals to consult all interested parties, and also requires School Organisation Committees to satisfy themselves before deciding proposals with a significant post-16 dimension that all interested parties have been fully consulted and their views explicitly addressed.

Secondary information