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28 Jun 2006 : Column 498W—continued
Research by the National Foundation for Education Research (NFER) conducted during 2005 and published by the Department in January 2006 indicated that 92 per cent. of all teachers teaching science were science specialists with 44 per cent. holding a biology specialism, 25 per cent. holding a chemistry specialism, 19 per cent. a physics specialism and 5 per cent. a specialism in another science. An estimated 2 per cent. of teachers teaching science did not hold a post A-level qualification in science. In addition, the research estimated that 76 per cent. of teachers teaching maths were maths specialists. An estimated 14 per cent. held no post A-level qualification in maths. For both maths and science, the research suggested that specialists deliver a greater proportion of the curriculum time than their relative size within the work force would suggest. For example, although only 10 per cent. of teachers teaching science at Key Stage 4 hold a degree
in physics, they deliver 43 per cent. of the curriculum time for GCSE physics with the rest supplied mainly by those with a chemistry degree or those with an initial teacher training specialism in science. (“Mathematics and Science in Schools: The Deployment of Teachers and Support Staff to Deliver the Curriculum”; Moor et al; DfES; 2006). For further information please see the research report at:
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RR708.pdf
Temporary Mobile Classrooms
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each London borough are using temporary mobile classrooms. [80514]
Jim Knight: Data supplied to the Department by local education authorities in recent months show the following numbers of primary and secondary schools in each London borough using temporary mobile classrooms:
| London borough | Primary | Secondary |
Central Government capital support for investment in schools has increased from under £700 million in 1996-97 to £5.8 billion this year and will rise further to over £6.3 billion by 2007-08. Progress is being made year-by-year in improving the quality of the school building stock. The bulk of schools capital is now allocated by formula to authorities and schools so that they can address their local priorities, including the replacement of decayed temporary accommodation,
on which we have set a high priority. Given the high levels of funding, authorities have the opportunity to replace temporary classrooms where they are considered to be unsuitable.
Modern, high quality mobile or demountable classrooms provide a good environment for teaching and learning where there is short-term need. They might, for instance, be needed to cope with a short-term increase in pupil numbers, or where extensive remodelling or rebuilding of permanent accommodation means providing temporary accommodation on the school site, rather than transporting children elsewhere.
Unauthorised Absence
Mr. Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of half days were missed due to unauthorised absence from maintained mainstream schools in (a) Bury St. Edmunds constituency, (b) Suffolk and (c) England in each year since 1997. [79388]
Jim Knight [holding answer 21 June 2006]: The percentage of half days missed due to unauthorised absence in maintained mainstream schools in (a) Bury St. Edmunds constituency, (b) Suffolk and (c) England in each year since 1997/98 is shown as follows.
| Percentage of half days missed in maintained primary schools( 1) due to unauthorised absence( 2, 3) | |||
| Bury St. Edmunds constituency | Suffolk local authority | England | |
| Percentage of half days missed in maintained secondary schools( 1) due to unauthorised absence( 2,3) | |||
| Bury St. Edmunds constituency | Suffolk local authority | England | |
| (1) Includes middle schools as deemed. (2) Due to local government reorganisation, regional figures are not available prior to 1998. (3) Local authority figures are only available to 1 decimal place prior to 2000. Constituency level figures are only provided to 1 decimal place. Note: Unauthorised absence is absence without leave from a teacher or other authorised representative of the school. This includes all unexplained or unjustified absences, such as lateness, holidays during term time not authorised by the school, absence where reason is not yet established and truancy. | |||
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of schoolchildren took unauthorised absence from school in (a) Torbay and (b) England in 2005-06. [79554]
Jim Knight: Figures for unauthorised absence from schools in 2005/06 are not yet available. The percentage of pupils who missed at least one session due to unauthorised absence in primary and secondary schools in (a) Torbay local authority and (b) England in 2004/05 are shown as follows.
Home Department
Animal Testing
Miss Widdecombe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to which procedures animals may be subject over the course of a two-year carcinogenicity study; and what the severity is of each procedure. [80442]
Joan Ryan:
Under project licence authorities issued under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, a two year carcinogenicity study would involve a series of regulated procedures forming a single protocol. The regulated procedures in the series would entail the administration of the test substance by one of a number of routes, for example, orally, by injection, through inhalation, or applied to the skin. Each route would be expected to produce only mild, momentary discomfort. Occasional blood samples may also be taken in some cases. The licence authorities require that
animals will be humanely killed before any tumours produced during the observation period cause serious adverse effects. Overall the protocol would be expected to be of mild or moderate severity.
The International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) publish International guidelines for the conduct of carcinogenicity studies for pharmaceuticals and chemicals, respectively, to which studies conducted in the United Kingdom are expected comply.
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