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Schools

Volume 472: debated on Wednesday 5 March 2008

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what studies his Department has (a) conducted and (b) reviewed on the ideal size of state schools in urban and rural areas; and if he will make a statement. (190657)

[holding answer 3 March 2008]: The Department commissioned an international research review in 2004 on the impact of secondary school size on student, teacher and school outcomes. The research was conducted by the Evidence for Policy and Practice Information and Co-ordinating (EPPI) Centre at the Institute of Education, University of London on behalf of the Department. The research found no consistent relationship between the size of the school and pupil outcomes and was based mainly on studies from the US. The Department has not commissioned research to investigate the question of ideal school size in urban or rural areas, or on ideal primary school size.

The Secretary of State will not be making a statement on this issue.