Reply from the Dept. for Education & Skills

Department for Education and Skills
creating opportunity, releasing potential, achieving excellence

02 April 2002

Dear Mr Carter

Thank you for your letter of 10 March, addressed to Estelle Morris, expressing your concerns about Emmanuel College. I have been asked to reply as I work in the team with responsibility for the National Curriculum in schools.

Emmanuel City Technology College (CTC) is an independent school, funded through the Department through a Funding Agreement with the Secretary of State. Amongst other things the Funding Agreement requires CTCs to provide a broad and balanced curriculum with an emphasis on science and technology and to teach the core and foundation subjects of the National Curriculum.

Emmanuel College is one of the most successful schools in the country. In 2001, 96% of its students gained 5 A*-C grades at GCSE, almost twice the national average. It was also highly praised in its OfSTED report last year. In particular, inspectors reported that the quality of teaching was good and that the curriculum was well designed.

We understand from OfSTED that they are not proposing to re-inspect the College. However, the Chief Inspector will be writing to the Chairman of the College's Governing Body to seek assurances that the College is fulfilling its responsibilities in relation to the teaching of the National Curriculum science. He will decide if any further action needs to be taken.

Yours sincerely

Zainab Ali
Curriculum Division

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