Written question asked by Nick Gibb (Conservative) on Wednesday, 10 January 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 January 2007. It was answered by Lord Knight of Weymouth (Labour) on Friday, 19 January 2007 on behalf of the Office for Standards in Education.

Languages: Schools

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many lessons inspected by Ofsted, excluding lessons in foreign languages, were taught in a language other than English in each year since 1996.

Answer: [holding answer 15 January 2007]: This is a matter for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert, has written to the hon. Member and a copy of her reply has been placed in the Library.Letter from Christine Gilbert, dated 15 January 2007:"Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, for reply.""You asked how many lessons inspected by Ofsted, excluding lessons in foreign languages, were taught in a language other than English in each year since 1996.""It is not possible to answer this question because the language in which lessons are taught has not, at any time, been recorded by inspectors on an Evidence Form. Inspectors may well record in the text that a lesson is taught in another language, but it is not possible to retrieve this information from every inspection since 1996.""A copy of this reply has been sent to Jim Knight MP, Minister of State for Schools, and will be placed in the Library of both Houses."

Secondary information