asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether it has at any stage been the policy of his Department since May 1979 that postgraduates studying for the certificate or diploma of education should be expected to repay any of the student grant they receive from public authorities if they subsequently decide to teach at an independent school on successful completion of their course.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether any guidance in any form has been given by his Department since May 1979 to university departments of education, whether directly or by implication, that (a) diplomas or certificates of education should not be granted to otherwise successful students who wish to teach during their probationary year in independent schools or (b) that students should not be permitted to undertake their teaching practice during their year of training at independent schools; and what is his policy on this matter.

No such guidance has been given. The award of post-graduate certificates, diplomas, or other teaching qualifications is not related to a period of probation. Probation is a requirement for teachers who wish to teach in the maintained sector and is served when a qualified teacher is first appointed to a maintained school. The selection of schools for teaching practice is a matter for teacher training institutions and their validating bodies.