The Northern Ireland Assembly - Written Answers to Questions: Friday 26 January 2001

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Friday 26 January 2001
Written Answers to Questions (Continued)

EDUCATION

Children with Disabilities

Ms Lewsley asked the Minister of Education to detail; (a) what funding will be allocated to provide for children with disabilities in mainstream education; (b) what are the structures to be used, and; (c) who will be the working partners in the scheme.

(AQW 985/00)

The Minister of Education (Mr M McGuinness): Special education legislation over the last 15 years has provided that wherever possible children with special educational needs should be educated in mainstream schools. However, some parents prefer their children to attend special schools and there are some children, especially those with the more severe disabilities, whose special educational needs are best met in special schools. I have no plans at present to change the current arrangements, which involve parents, boards and education and health professionals in the assessment and statementing process, including making the appropriate placement for the child.

The legal presumption of education in mainstream has already generated a significant shift in the percentage of children with special educational needs being educated in mainstream schools over the last 10 years: from 31% in 1990 to 49% in 1999. It is anticipated that this trend will continue. Education and library board support has taken the form of additional peripatetic, special education unit and special school outreach teachers, classroom assistants, to provide special equipment and to make alterations to schools to improve physical access. It is not possible to identify separately the total amount of money used to support such children in mainstream education because of the financial arrangements for recording recurrent school expenditure.

Additionally, my Department has provided funding to support the introduction of the special educational needs code of practice: the latest recurrent allocations to boards were £1·5 million in 1999-2000 and £2 million in 2000-01. Additionally, £0·5 million capital expenditure was allocated in 1999-2000 to make mainstream schools more accessible to children with special educational needs and a further £1·5 million in 2000-01.

Schools Intake Criteria

Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to his oral answer on 27 November 2000, to list the schools where the pupil intake was fewer than twelve and detail the intake for each school.

(AQW 1142/00)

Mr M McGuinness: As I indicated in the Assembly on 27 November, there are 400 rural primary schools where the total school enrolment is less than the enrolment number required for those Irish-medium and integrated schools to which the new viability criteria would apply. As regards annual intakes rather than total enrolments, those schools with pupil intakes of less than 12, as at September 2000, are attached.

School Name	Y1 Intake
Aghadrumsee Primary School	9
Aghavilly Primary School	10
All Saints Primary School Banbridge	4
All Saints Primary School Omagh	10
Altayeskey Primary School	6
Altishane Primary School	6
Ampertaine Primary School	11
Anamar Primary School	7
Annsborough Primary School	3
Antiville Primary School	6
Ardmore Primary School	4
Ardstraw Primary School	9
Aughamullan Primary School	8
Augher Central Primary School	3
Aughnacloy Primary School	10
Ballee Primary School	9
Ballougry Primary School	9
Ballycloughan Primary School	8
Ballygawley Primary School	7
Ballyhackett Primary School	8
Ballykeigle Primary School	6
Ballylifford Primary School	6
Ballymena Academy Prep Department	0
Ballypriormore Primary School	5
Ballyrock Primary School	4
Ballytober Primary School	4
Ballytrea Primary School	11
Balnamore Primary School	9
Barnish Primary School	11
Bellaghy Primary School	6
Bellarena Primary School	5
Belleek (2) Primary School	2
Benburb Primary School	3
Bessbrook Primary School	9
Birches Primary School	7
Blackmountain Primary School	9
Bloomfield Collegiate Prep Department	7
Brackalislea Primary School	4
Braid Primary School	2
Bridgehill Primary School	7
Brookeborough Primary School	6
Bunscoil An Iuir	11
Burnfoot Primary School	5
Cabin Hill School	7
Carhill Integrated Primary School	5
Carlane Primary School	9
Carnalbanagh Primary School	8
Carnlough Primary School	4
Carntall Primary School	11
Carr Primary School	9
Castlecaulfield (No 2) Primary School	10
Castlewellan Primary School	8
Cavanacaw Primary School	1
Charley Memorial Primary School	0
Churchill Primary School	9
Churchtown Primary School	4
Clay Primary School	6
Clintyclay Primary School	5
Clogher Regional Primary School	5
Clontifleece Primary School	9
Clough Primary School	9
Collone Primary School	6
Conlig Primary School	3
Cornagague Primary School	6
Corranny Primary School	11
Creavery Primary School	7
Creggan Primary School	10
Crievagh Primary School	3
Crossgar Primary School	10
Crossroads Primary School	8
Culcrow Primary School	4
Cullycapple Primary School	8
Culmore Primary School	10
Culnady Primary School	9
Darragh Cross Primary School	9
Dechomet Primary School	3
Denamona Primary School	9
Derriaghy Primary School	10
Derryboy Primary School	5
Derrygonnelly Primary School	10
Derryhale Primary School	10
Derrylatinee Primary School	9
Dervaghroy Primary School	5
Desertmartin Primary School	7
Doagh Primary School	10
Donaghey Primary School	9
Donaghmore Primary School	8
Donemana Primary School	11
Downshire Primary School	5
Dromore Primary School	10
Drumaghlis Primary School	9
Drumaroad Primary School	3
Drumbo Primary School	3
Drumduff Primary School	5
Drumhillery Primary School	10
Drumlegagh Primary School	10
Drumlish Primary School	10
Drumnabey Primary School	11
Drumsallen Primary School	9
Duneane Primary School	3
Dungiven Primary School	3
Dunmullan Primary School	6
Dunseverick Primary School	9
Earl of Erne Primary School	1
Eden Primary School	11
Eglish Primary School	4
Envagh Primary School	1
Erganagh Primary School	7
Evish Primary School	7
Foyle & Londonderry College Prep Department	0
Garryduff Primary School	8
Gillygooley Primary School	8
Glenagoorland Primary School	3
Glenann Primary School	6
Glenarm Primary School	3
Glenlola Collegiate Prep Department	9
Glynn Primary School	8
Gorran Primary School	6
Gortnagarn Primary School	6
Gortnaghey Primary School	6
Granville Primary School	6
Groarty Primary School	5
Groomsport Primary School	3
Guiness Primary School	5
Harryville Primary School	11
Hillhall Primary School	9
Hunterhouse College Prep Department	4
Hutton Primary School	9
Innismagh Primary School	4
Keady Primary School	3
Kilbroney Primary School	9
Killowen Primary School	8
Killyhommon Primary School	10
Killylea Primary School	1
Killyman Primary School	9
Kilross Primary School	7
Kilskeery Primary School	4
Kingsmills Primary School	5
Kirkinriola Primary School	8
Knockahollet Primary School	9
Knocknagin Primary School	8
Knocknagor Primary School	3
Lack Primary School	11
Laghey Primary School	3
Lambeg Primary School	4
Landhead Primary School	9
Langfield Primary School	8
Largy Primary School	8
Lisfearty Primary School	10
Lisnadill Primary School	7
Lisnamurrican Primary School	3
Listress Primary School	2
Longstone Primary School	8
Loughash Primary School	2
Loughbrickland Primary School	10
Loughries Primary School	10
Lourdes Primary School	6
Lurgan College Prep Department	2
Macosquin Primary School	9
Maghera Primary School	11
Magilligan Primary School	4
Maydown & Strathfoyle Primary School	10
Maze Primary School	10
Millquarter Primary School	8
Milltown Primary School	5
Minterburn Primary School	5
Mosside Primary School	2
Moy Regional Primary School	8
Mullabuoy Primary School	11
Mullaghdubh Primary School	2
Newmills Primary School	10
Newport Primary School	8
Newtownbutler (2) Primary School	4
Newtownhamilton Primary School	10
Newtownstewart Model Primary School	9
O’Neill Memorial Primary School	4
Our Lady’s Primary School	1
Parkgate Primary School	10
Portadown College Prep Department	4
Portaferry Integrated Primary School	10
Presentation Primary School	8
Queen Elizabeth II (Pomeroy) Primary School	3
Queen Elizabeth II Primary School Trillick	4
Rasharkin Primary School	9
Richmount Primary School	8
Roan Primary School	8
Roscavey Primary School	4
Royal School Prep Department	6
Sandville Primary School	5
Scarva Primary School	1
Shanmullagh Primary School	0
Sistrakeel Primary School	6
Springfield Primary School	7
St Anne’s Primary School Ballymena	10
St Anne’s Primary School Donaghadee	5
St Anthony’s Primary School	0
St Brigid’s Primary School Drumilly	7
St Brigid’s Primary School Augher	8
St Brigid’s Primary School Cloughmills	10
St Brigid’s Primary School Gortin	6
St Brigid’s Primary School Mountfield	10
St Brigid’s Primary School Tirkane	10
St Caireall’s Primary School	11
St Ciaran’s Primary School	11
St Colman’s (Bann) Primary School	10
St Colman’s Primary School Craigavon	8
St Colman’s Primary School Dromore	8
St Colmcille’s Primary School	7
St Columba’s Primary School	4
St Columb’s Primary School (Cullion)	9
St Davog’s Scraghey Primary School	5
St Eoghan’s Primary School	9
St Eugene’s Primary School Lisnaskea	11
St Eugene’s Primary School Omagh	1
St Eugene’s Primary School Strabane	6
St James’ Primary School Craigavon	3
St James’ Primary School Drumatee	3
St John’s Eglish(1) Primary School	2
St John’s Primary School Coalisland	7
St John’s Primary School Hillsborough	7
St Johns Primary School Middletown	6
St John’s Primary School Newry	8
St Joseph’s (Brockaghboy) Primary School	6
St Joseph’s Primary School Ahoghill	0
St Joseph’s Primary School Caledon	4
St Joseph’s Primary School Downpatrick	6
St Joseph’s Primary School Fintona	2
St Joseph’s Primary School Glenmornan	7
St Joseph’s Primary School Killough	7
St Joseph’s Primary School Lisnaskea	11
St Joseph’s Primary School Poyntzpass	8
St Joseph’s Primary School Strangford	11
St Joseph’s Primary School Tyrella Road, Downpatrick	10
St Laurence O’Toole’s Primary School	5
St Macartan’s Primary School	6
St Malachy’s Primary School Glencull	8
St Malachy’s Primary School Magherafelt	8
St Malachy’s Primary School Strangford	5
St Malachy’s Primary School Whitecross	10
St Mary’s Primary School Aghadowey	3
St Mary’s Primary School Ardglass	9
St Mary’s Primary School Aughnacloy	6
St Mary’s Primary School Ballycastle	1
St Mary’s Primary School Ballygowan	3
St Mary’s Primary School Ballymena	10
St Mary’s Primary School Belfast	11
St Mary’s Primary School Bellanaleck	7
St Mary’s Primary School Brookeborough	9
St Mary’s Primary School Comber	3
St Mary’s Primary School Derrylester	8
St Mary’s Primary School Derrylin	10
St Mary’s Primary School Fivemiletown	7
St Mary’s Primary School Glenravel	10
St Mary’s Primary School Laught	2
St Mary’s Primary School Lurgan	8
St Mary’s Primary School Rathfriland	7
St Mary’s Primary School Saintfield	7
St Matthew’s Primary School Dungannon	5
St Matthew’s Primary School Magheramayo	1
St Michael’s Primary School Mowhan	10
St Michael’s Primary School Newtownhamilton	5
St Naile’s Primary School	10
St Olcan’s Primary School	9
St Oliver Plunkett Primary School	11
St Oliver’s Primary School Carrickrovaddy	10
St Patrick’s Primary School Augher	9
St Patrick’s Primary School Aughtercloney	3
St Patrick’s Primary School Carrickmore	6
St Patrick’s Primary School Castlewellan	5
St Patrick’s Primary School Dunamanagh	4
St Patrick’s Primary School Magheralin	10
St Patrick’s Primary School Moneymore	11
St Patrick’s Primary School Portaferry	9
St Patrick’s Primary School Rathfriland	8
St Patrick’s Primary School Seskinore	7
St Paul’s Primary School	7
St Peter’s & St Paul’s Primary School	9
St Teresa’s Primary School	7
St Trea’s Primary School	8
Stewartstown Primary School	4
Stragowna Primary School	1
Straidbilly Primary School	6
Tamnamore Primary School	7
Tattygar Primary School	7
Taughmonagh Primary School	9
The Drelincourt Infants School	11
Tildarg Primary School	11
Tir-Na-Nog Primary School	4
Toberlane Primary School	4
Tobermore Primary School	9
Trillick Primary School	3
Tullymacarette Primary School	5
Tullyroan Primary School	7
Tullywhisker Primary School	0
Tummery Primary School	7
Upper Ballyboley Primary School	5
Walker Memorial Primary School	6

Children with Special Needs

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Education to confirm that the special needs for children programme will be managed and funded from within his Departmental budget.

(AQW 1177/00)

Mr M McGuinness: The level of funding for special education is determined by the Education and Library Boards as part of their annual decisions about the allocation of their block grant. Mainstream school budgets allocated under the LMS system contain an additional element to cater for the needs of any non-statemented pupils with special educational needs. The costs associated with statemented children in mainstream schools are not separately identified. Special schools have partially delegated budgets, with all pupil-related costs being retained centrally by the boards.

To assist with the introduction of the special education provisions of the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 which came into force in September 1997 and the introduction of the code of practice on the identification and assessment of special educational needs in September 1998 additional ear-marked funding of £3·7 million was made available in 1998-99 — the first year of implementation of the code — and £7 million in each of the following years to provide support for schools and boards.

Annual School Leavers Survey

Dr O’Hagan asked the Minister of Education to detail the numbers of students from secondary and grammar schools who are moving into each of; (a) further and higher education colleges; (b) universities; (c) training schemes and (d) unemployment.

(AQW 1189/00)

Mr M McGuinness: Since the source of the information contained in this reply is the annual school leavers survey, which is undertaken on behalf of the Department of Education, I have been asked to respond.

The most recent year for which the requested information is available is 1998/99.

The figures are as follows:

	Secondary	Grammar	Total
a. Further and Higher Education Colleges	5,391	2,515	7,906
b. Institutions of Higher Education	1,188	6,430	7,618
c. Training Schemes	5,164	230	5,394
d. Unemployment	890	122	1,012

Cavanacaw Primary School

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Education to investigate development proposal No 142 in the Western Education and Library Board area in relation to violation of articles 9 and 14 of the Human Rights Act 1998 and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 1202/00)

Mr M McGuinness: This development proposal relates to the proposed closure of Cavanacaw Primary School and I am satisfied that the proposal does not contravene the provisions of the Human Rights Act 1998.

Enrolment Figures

Mr Poots asked the Minister of Education to detail the enrolment figures at schools in the Lagan Valley constituency in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1206/00)

Mr M McGuinness: The information from the school census conducted in October each year is:

NURSERY SCHOOLS

	96/97	97/98	98/99	99/00	00/01
Barbour Pavilion Nursery School	74	75	76	78	78
Pond Park Nursery School	100	100	101	104	104
Holy Trinity Nursery School	52	52	52	53	53

PRIMARY SCHOOLS

	96/97	97/98	98/99	99/00	00/01
Anahilt Primary School	273	266	276	277	285
Ballymacash Primary School	280	296	308	305	309
Ballymacrickett Primary School	200	219	232	224	245
Ballymacward Primary School	112	114	95	101	102
Bridge Integrated Primary School	311	337	370	384	394
Christ the Redeemer Primary School*	0	0	0	36	157
Derriaghy Primary School	95	86	79	82	76
Dromara Primary School	124	121	120	130	126
Dromore Central Primary School	511	536	545	568	595
Drumbo Primary School	68	58	42	36	30
Fair Hill Primary School**	0	152	161	163	167
Forthill Primary School	239	251	248	243	221
Friends’ School Preparatory Department	190	198	187	181	169
Harmony Hill Primary School	712	710	707	698	668
Hilden Integrated Primary School	62	57	73	66	78
Hillhall Primary School	48	52	51	53	56
Hillsborough Primary School	353	348	356	368	378
Killowen Primary School	482	475	471	447	453
Knockmore Primary School	188	179	185	173	171
Lambeg Primary School	66	63	56	50	43
Lower Ballinderry Primary School	159	165	175	166	171
Maghaberry Primary School	204	204	212	216	214
Moira Primary School	288	291	309	319	326
Newport Primary School	95	84	80	78	78
Oakwood Integrated Primary School***	0	0	0	113	135
Old Warren Primary School	173	150	159	169	163
Pond Park Primary School	595	588	600	594	601
Riverdale Primary School****	0	0	0	0	167
St Aloysius Primary School	325	319	302	328	329
St Colman’s Primary School (Moira)	76	70	61	53	45
St Colman’s Primary School (Lisburn)	435	419	426	420	414
St Colman’s Primary School (Dromore)	94	91	92	94	96
St Joseph’s Primary School	265	251	234	205	184
St Michael’s Primary School (Finnis)	77	75	72	71	71
Tullymacarette Primary School	68	72	62	60	47
Wallace High School Preparatory Department	196	195	198	192	190

* Christ the Redeemer Primary School opened 1.9.1999
** Fair Hill Primary School opened on 1.9.1997
*** Oakwood Integrated Primary School opened 1.9.1999
**** Riverdale Primary School opened on 28.2.2000

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

	96/97	97/98	98/99	99/00	00/01
Lisnagarvey High School	309	291	318	346	337
Dunmurry High School	424	410	365	326	278
Laurelhill Community College	946	927	927	952	958
St Patrick’s High School	527	558	548	561	529
Forthill College*	689	683	755	813	843
Dromore High School	787	784	793	777	776

GRAMMAR SCHOOLS

	96/97	97/98	98/99	99/00	00/01
Friends’ School	942	959	968	947	954
Wallace High School	1149	1160	1158	1138	1155

* Forthill College changed status from Controlled to Controlled Integrated on 1.9.1998

Full-Time Education

Dr O’Hagan asked the Minister of Education to detail; (a) the participation rates in full-time education (over sixteen years of age) for West Belfast and; (b) the level of qualifications received by pupils in West Belfast and the recorded destination of school leavers from West Belfast in each of the last three years.

(AQW 1217/00)

Mr M McGuinness: Since the majority of the information contained in this reply is taken from the annual school leavers survey, which is undertaken on behalf of the Department of Education, I have been asked to respond.

Information in relation to further education students has been provided by the Department for Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment.

Information for 2000-01 is not yet available. For those with West Belfast postcodes the participation rate of 16 year olds and 17 year olds in full-time education (excluding special and independent schools) was 52% in 1999/2000. Participation rates for the previous two years are not available.

Information for 1999/2000 is not yet available. The figures for the previous three years (excluding special and independent schools) are as follows for pupils with West Belfast postcodes:

Highest Qualification of School Leavers

	1996/97	1997/98	1998/99
A Levels
3 or more ⁽¹⁾	220	229	199
2⁽¹⁾	97	144	112
1	54	32	39
GCSEs
5+ A*-C⁽²⁾	254	234	249
1-4 A*-C⁽²⁾	372	356	368
Other Grades (1+D-G)⁽³⁾	358	344	346
No GCSEs	173	158	151
Total	1528	1497	1464

Notes

^1. Includes GNVQ Advanced.
^2. Includes GNVQ Intermediate.
^3.Includes GNVQ Foundation.

DESTINATION OF SCHOOL LEAVERS

	1996/97	1997/98	1998/99
Institutions of Higher Education	235	250	217
Institutions of Further Education	386	359	324
Employment	360	301	334
Unemployment	72	63	88
Training	422	483	472
Unknown Destinations	53	41	29
Total	1528	1497	1464

School Transport

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education to outline his current policy in relation to school transport.

(AQW 1228/00)

Mr M McGuinness: Assistance with home to school transport is provided where it is considered necessary to facilitate the attendance of pupils at grant-aided schools.

The arrangements, approved by my Department, enable education and library boards to provide transport assistance where a pupil is unable to gain a place in a suitable school within statutory walking distance of his or her home. Statutory walking distance is two miles for primary school pupils and three miles for others, measured by the nearest available route.

The definition of suitable school relates to the established categories of controlled, catholic maintained, integrated and Irish-medium and, in the grammar sector, denominational and non-denominational schools. Transport assistance will be provided to pupils attending a school outside statutory walking distance in the chosen category provided there are no similar schools within statutory walking distance to which the pupil could have been admitted.

Children’s Safety

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education to outline the steps he is taking in conjunction with the Department of the Environment to ensure the safety of children on their journeys to and from school.

(AQW 1229/00)

Mr M McGuinness: School transport services are provided by the education and library boards in accordance with arrangements approved by my Department, which provide that pupils should be able to travel in safety and reasonable comfort. My Department is guided by the Department of the Environment in relation to the number of pupils that can be safely transported on buses and will consider carefully any recommendations that the Environment Committee makes following its inquiry into school transport.

Road safety education in schools is essential in ensuring the safety of children when travelling and schools are encouraged to adopt and implement a formal road safety policy, to appoint a road safety co-ordinator and to teach road safety on a regular basis, preferably as part of the curriculum. My Department is also participating in a school travel group, established by the Department for Regional Development, which will examine issues relating to improved road safety and personal safety, the development of wider travel choice opportunities through improved planning of transport (including safe walking and cycling routes) and encouragement of safe and efficient travel choices.

School Transportation Systems

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education if he has appraised the school transportation systems in the United States, Canada and Australia and if he will consider introducing similar systems in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 1230/00)

Mr M McGuinness: My Department is aware of the school transportation systems, which operate in the United States, Canada and Australia.

It would be premature to initiate a major review of school transport policy here, before decisions have been taken on the structure of post-primary education and before the Assembly Environment Committee has reported on its inquiry into school transport.

Safety features are continually re-assessed, however, on the basis of good practice elsewhere and Education and Library Boards, for example, already fit energy absorbing seats to all new board vehicles in excess of 20 passengers seats in accordance with United Nations E.C.80 crash safety specifications.

Further research is also being undertaken by the Department of the Environment, in collaboration with my Department, into school transport safety standards elsewhere.

Sex Education

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister of Education to outline when guidance for primary and post primary schools on sex education will be introduced following the consultation process two years ago and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 1316/00)

Mr M McGuinness: In the Written Answers booklet for 1 December 2000 I indicated that guidance from the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment on teaching relationships and sexuality education, and a departmental circular for schools, are being finalised but will be subject to equality impact assessment before issue. It is planned that both will be issued in the spring.

Sex Education

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of primary and post-primary schools that are currently providing a programme of sex education and outline what guidance they have received.

(AQW 1317/00)

Mr M McGuinness: The Department does not have information on the number of schools providing specific sex education programmes. However, elements of sex education are included within the statutory programme of study for science and would also be covered within the compulsory health education cross-curricular theme. Guidance on sex education is contained in a circular, number 1987/45, issued by the Department.

Sex Education

Ms Ramsey asked the Minister of Education to confirm that no guidance on sex education will be made available to schools until after the completion of the current curriculum review by the Council for the Curriculum Examination and Assessment .

(AQW 1319/00)

Mr M McGuinness: As I indicated in the in the Written Answers Booklet for 1 December 2000, guidance from the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment on teaching Relationships and Sexuality Education and a Departmental Circular for schools are being finalised, but will also be subject to equality impact assessment before issue. It is planned that both will be issued in the spring.

Sixth Form Accommodation

Ms McWilliams asked the Minister of Education to detail for each grammar and secondary school with a sixth form, whether sixth form accommodation is; (a) purpose built; (b) specially adapted; (c) not subject to special provision or; (d) located off the main campus.

(AQW 1357/00)

Mr M McGuinness: Information in the form requested is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The provision of sixth form accommodation is a matter for individual school authorities.

Mobile Classrooms

Mr Bradley asked the Minister of Education to outline his plans to eliminate the use of mobile classrooms at schools under his control.

(AQW 1361/00)

Mr M McGuinness: My Department is committed to improving accommodation across the schools estate and the replacement of mobile classrooms has a high priority under the Department’s capital programme. The rate at which mobile classrooms can be replaced with permanent accommodation depends on the availability of funds.

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