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The Government’s proposals for a coherent 14-19 phase of learning
were set out in the Green Paper Schools: Building on Success
and subsequently the White Paper Schools: Achieving Success.
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The White Paper proposed that
from the age of 14 young people should follow pathways tailored
to their aptitudes and aspirations. These should include a wide
range of high quality vocational and academic programmes in school,
in college and in the workplace with a clear path into further
learning. We should encourage more young people to stay in learning
to the age of 19 and beyond and aim to end the culture of leaving
education at the age of 16. An overarching award available to young
people to recognise the breadth and depth of achievement by the
age of 19 was proposed.
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A Green Paper will shortly be
published to consult on the detail of the proposals on 14-19 learning
and will be available on the website www.dfes.gov.uk/14-19greenpaper.
Alternatively, priced copies will be available from
The Stationery Office, 51 Nine
Elms Lane, London, SW8 5DR; Tel: 0870 242 2345; e-mail: Customer.Service@ukstate.com or
the website at http://www.tsonline.co.uk/.
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Other publications linked to the Green Paper, which will be available
from DfES Publications, are the Response Document (DfES/0153/2002)
and a number of Summary versions:
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A version of the summary primarily
for young people, will also be available DfES/0173/2002 (Braille
DfES/0174/2002 and Audio DfES/0175/2002).
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Curriculum Examination & Assessment
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National Centre for Excellence in Science Teaching - Consultation
Document
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This paper seeks your views on
the Government’s proposals to establish a National Centre for Excellence
in Science Teaching. The consultation covers the aims, organisation,
management and priorities of a National Centre to underpin and influence
Continuous Professional Development for science teachers. We welcome
views from both primary and secondary teachers, particularly on
how teachers can influence and contribute to the work of the centre.
Launched: 11 February 2002
Closing Date: 3 May 2002
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Springboard 6: Lessons for use in booster classes (second part)
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The Springboard 6 pack contains
the second set of 11 half-hour lessons for use in booster classes.
Schools should already have received the first set of lessons, which
became available in December 2001 (DfES/0778/2001).
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National Numeracy Strategy Progression charts
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Three National Numeracy Strategy 'progression charts' were distributed
at Headteachers' conferences in Autumn Term 2001. Schools may order
further copies of a pack containing the three charts on:
- problem solving
- subtraction
- addition and subtraction leading
to multiplication and division.
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KS3 and KS4 pupils can participate
in an international project entitled 'My Community, Our Earth Geographic
Learning for Sustainable Development (MyCOE). The aim of the project
is to advance geographic learning and to help demonstrate approaches
to sustainable development.
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All participants are eligible
to receive a free resource kit, containing software, maps and educational
materials about Geography and Sustainable development. For more
information on how to participate, visit http://www.geography.org/sustainable
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Judges and Schools: A guide to court visits
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A useful new teaching resource
that supports the citizenship curriculum for key stages 3 and 4.
The guide has been produced by a collaboration of members of the
Judiciary, the Lord Chancellor’s Department, and the Citizenship
Foundation.
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It is a photocopiable resource describing the court system and
takes readers through typical criminal and civil cases in a lively
and accessible form. There are also suggestions for related activities
designed to help young people gain an understanding of our justice
system. The guide covers visits to Crown Courts and County Courts
and gives practical advice for teachers on how to get the most
out of a visit with their students.
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It is available from DfES Publications but with a limit of 5 copies
per school.
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Coping with Citizenship - CD-ROM
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A useful addition to the range
of citizenship materials produced by Rotary International. It will
help children avoid problems in their lives, make sensible decisions,
understand how society operates, appreciate the need for rules and
laws, gain some political awareness and begin to understand relationships.
It will be distributed by local Rotary clubs.
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For more information contact HBL Media 01628 418133
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Personal Social & Health Education
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Do you want to be part of an exciting
new DfES project?
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We're in the process of building
a Learning and Development website to support Personal Social &
Health Education (PSHE) teaching. We plan to launch it this Spring.
The site will cover the following main topic areas: sex and relationship
education, drugs, alcohol and tobacco, emotional health and well
being, financial literacy, physical activity, nutrition, safety
education, citizenship at key stages 1and 2, and of course the National
Healthy School Standard. One of the benefits of the site will be
its ability to share information with others responsible for delivering
the PSHE programme in school.
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We would ideally like to support each topic area by a number of
case studies, i.e. what's worked well in a classroom environment,
the creative and innovative ways of delivering a particular topic.
That's where we need the help of the teaching profession. Would
you be willing to submit case studies that have worked well for
you which we could incorporate into the website?
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Each case study will clearly need
to demonstrate best practice in teaching and learning of PSHE. They
should focus on analysis and explanation of the PSHE and Citizenship
framework. You may also want to give an example of how you have
taught a particular topic area within PSHE to a specific class.
The case study should demonstrate the issues involved, the skills
and knowledge you have drawn on and the outcomes of the teaching
both for yourself and your pupils. Case studies may also include
images and lesson plans where appropriate.
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The case studies will be chosen
and designed to reassure teachers that good practice in PSHE is
within their reach while making it clear that good PSHE teaching
is about having a range of skills and qualities together with specialist
knowledge and understanding. We have guidance notes and case study
templates available for use.
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The site is being developed by 3T Productions Ltd who will liase
with teachers to assist in the production of case studies. If you
think you can help, then call Vicki Neal on 0161 492 1400,
or email vneal@3t.co.uk who will
advise on how to submit your case study.
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The case studies feature schools
and LEAs that are affected by high pupil mobility. In particular,
the case studies we have displayed are as representative as possible
including covering different age ranges and experience of different
types of mobility. The schools and LEAs were chosen for their effective
practices in this area and portraying good examples to address pupil
mobility and target setting.
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The Assessment and Qualifications
Alliance has openings for English and science markers for the Key
Stage 3 tests. English markers for Key Stage 2 and the Year 7 Progress
tests are also required. Specialist training will be given, typically
fees are in the region of £900.00 for work undertaken between May
and July. Further details available by e-mailing ks2&3-recruitment@aqa.org.uk
or writing to AQA, KS2/3 & Y7PT, Wheatfield Road, Westerhope,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE5 5JZ.
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Celebrating Diversity is the theme for the Commonwealth Day Observance
in The Queen’s Golden Jubilee year. Designed for use by teachers,
the Royal Commonwealth Society has produced a Pack filled with ideas
on how to celebrate the Day, the theme and the Commonwealth dimension
of Golden Jubilee.
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The pack is available from Alice
Kawoya at The Royal Commonwealth Society, 18 Northumberland Avenue,
London WC2N 5BJ, by e-mail alice.kawoya@rcsint.org, or by fax: 020
7930 9705.
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Information Management - Supporting
Success
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This booklet is the first in a
series of three to highlight the benefits of effective information
management and provide advice on how schools can realise them. It
is for anyone involved in the management and administration of schools.
It is intended for primary and special schools but we hope it will
also be useful for staff in secondary schools and local education
authorities. There is information on the key concepts and guidance
on establishing, maintaining and improving information management
across the school. It will be followed by a second on school self-review
and a third on using data to raise standards.
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Transforming The Way We Learn - A Vision for the Future of ICT
in Schools
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This presents a practical vision of how ICT developments could
help transform the delivery of school-age learning over the next
5 years or so. New opportunities are outlined for pupils and parents,
teachers, school leaders and governors. We welcome any comments
to help stimulate a debate on ICT in schools.
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Growing Schools National Conference
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The Growing Schools National Conference
takes place on Thursday, 21 February 2002 at the Commonwealth Conference
& Events Centre, Kensington, London.
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Head teachers, local authority
members and officers with responsibility for education, Agenda 21
and sustainable development policy are invited to attend the one
day conference exploring the benefits of using the 'outdoor classroom'
for the hands on study of farming and growing to enhance learning.
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The conference is organised by the Federation of City Farms and
Community Gardens on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills.
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For further information and registration
forms, please contact Nick Stonex, tel: 0117 923 1800 or e-mail:
nick@farmgarden.org.uk
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First National Learning Mentor Conference http://www.nmn.org.uk/
The First National Learning
Mentor Conference on Wednesday 27th February 2002 at the Birmingham
NEC, will be hosted by the National Mentoring Network (NMN). It
will provide examples of best practice, give practical advice
and will also provide a forum for discussion on the key issues facing
Learning Mentors. Speakers include Tim Brighouse (Chief Education
Officer, Birmingham City Council), Anne Hayward (DfES Consultant
for Excellence in Cities) and Stephen Timms, MP (Minister of State
for School Standards). Delegates will also be invited to select
two workshops from a choice of sixteen. The workshops cover a
wide range of issues and subjects of relevance to Learning Mentors.
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The fee for the Conference is £90 (10% discount to members of
the National Mentoring Network - one delegate per member organisation).
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For further details or a Conference
Booking Form, please visit the website at www.nmn.org.uk
or contact the NMN office on 0161 787 8600.
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The National Mentoring Network
(NMN), in partnership with experienced mentoring practitioners,
has developed a peer mentor guidance and support pack for schools.
Initial evaluation from the six schools piloting the peer mentoring
materials since September 2001 has been very positive.
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The NMN is inviting 100 schools
across the country to take part in the rollout of the materials.
In addition, grants of £500 pounds per school has been made available
by the DfES to support the setting up and running of a peer mentoring
scheme. Any schools interested should contact the NMN by 22nd
March 2002. Interested schools will be asked to complete a short
pro-forma to confirm their commitment to establishing a peer mentoring
scheme during September 2002.
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Schools will be asked to attend a regional training event to assist
them with setting up and managing the programme. Training events
will be held between April and May 2002.
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Please contact Marie Jones, Membership
Services Co-ordinator at the National Mentoring Network office on
0161 787 8600 to request a pro-forma, or send an email to natment@globalnet.co.uk
Additional information on the programme can also be found
at http://www.nmn.org.uk/
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The consultation exercise for
the new Code of Practice written by the Commission for Racial Equality
(CRE) for schools and other public bodies is well under way. The
new Code of Practice now requires schools, by 31 May 2002, to have
a written Race Equality Policy in place and a strategy to monitor
and assess its impact on pupils, staff and parents from different
minority ethnic groups. If your school is part of this exercise
and you haven’t returned your consultation document, please note
that the closing date is 28th February 2002. For schools who are
not part of the exercise, copies of the draft Code of Practice can
be obtained from the CRE by calling them on 020 7828 7022 (asking
for the education department) or from their website at www.cre.gov.uk A further update will
be provided in the next issue.
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The draft documents have been
deliberately placed in the public domain to allow school and LEA
staff and others to comment before they are finalised.
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Partnership is Key to Bridging the Attainment Gap for Minority
Ethnic Students
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An exciting and innovative pilot project is to be launched by
the DfES as part of the Government’s commitment to raising the attainment
of ethnic minority students, through the joined up use of EiC and
EMAG funding streams.
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The White Paper said that the Government would: "Make sure
that the resources available through EMAG link with wider programmes
to raise standards such as the Key Stage 3 strategy and Excellence
in Cities."
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This national scheme will involve ten Local Education Authorities
with high concentrations of ethnic minority students. Its purpose
is to support the development and implementation of a range of initiatives
aimed at bridging the achievement gap.
The participating LEAs will receive an annual grant of £40,000
over a three year period, and will be encouraged to focus on key
areas including, KS2/3 transition, monitoring and target setting,
parental involvement and analysis of performance data. The projects
may target specific ethnic minority groups, but may also trial innovative
strategies in selected schools.
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The DfES will commission an independent evaluation of the pilot
and its impact on schools, the findings of which will be used to
identify and disseminate models of good practice.
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Guidance Notes will be issued shortly and Gurbux Singh from the
Commission for Race Equality will launch the project at a national
conference on 28th February 2002.
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For further information please contact Liz Agbettoh, Department
for Eduction & Skills, School Inclusion Division, Sanctuary
Buildings, Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3BT, Tel: 020 7925 5541
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Removing The Barriers - Raising Achievement levels for Minority
Ethnic
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This resource pack consists of
a video and accompanying teachers’ notes, and the earlier booklet
"Removing the Barriers - Key points for Schools", first
published in February 2000. The resource was developed to support
the Government’s aim to raise standards and to share the good practice
that exists within schools. The video focuses on three schools that
have successfully raised the achievement of minority ethnic pupils,
by raising expectations. The main focus is for staff in Secondary
Schools, but Primary Schools may also find it helpful.
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The 14 - 19 Green Paper announces
the national availability of Progress File in 2002. Additional
information and ordering arrangements will be made available to
all secondary schools during March 2002. Further information meanwhile
can be found on the Department’s website at www.dfes.gov.uk/progfile or
by calling the helplines, tel: 0114 259 4741 / 3871
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Organisation & Management
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Administration & Management
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Admission authorities setting
up admission appeal panel hearings should notify the Council on
Tribunals of dates on which appeal hearings will take place. The
Council has a supervisory role in admission appeals and its members
sit in on appeal hearings from time to time as observers. This
is an important part of the Council’s work and enables it to have
an overview on appeals. You should inform the Council on Tribunals
of admission appeal dates by writing to them at 22 Kingsway, London
WC2B 6LE or telephoning the Visits Officer on 020 7947-7050. Admission
authorities should ensure that appeals are heard within a reasonable
time. Timetables should allow appeals to be lodged well before
school holiday periods. Secondary school appeals should be decided
before the end of the term prior to the relevant term of entry.
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All those involved in appeal panels
should receive training. The Council on Tribunals and the Judicial
Studies Board offer advice on training. Information for School and
College Governors offer training packs funded by DfES and run training
sessions. The Judicial Studies Board can be contacted at 9th Floor,
Millbank Tower, London SW1P 4QU (tel 020 7217 4771); Information
for School and College Governors can be contacted at Avondale School,
Sirdar Road, London W11 4EE (tel 020 7229 0200).
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The Code of Practice on School
Admission Appeals provides further information and advice. Visit
the Department’s website at http://www.dfes.gov.uk/appeals/
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A note to head teachers, chairs of governors and LEAs describing
the proposals contained in the new STRB report for teachers’ pay
in 2002-03.
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The Foreign and Commonwealth Office
have produced a number of leaflets providing information on a wide
number of issues involving the EU. The titles are:
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What has the EU ever done for us?
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The benefits of EU membership for your region
The benefits of EU membership
to different sectors of British society IGC: Reform for Enlargement
The Treaty of Nice - Reform for Enlargement
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Britain: A Champion for Enlargement (ZIP file 1.2mb) The European
Union Treaties in under 300 words
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Heard about 'European Law'?
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They can be accessed on-line (click on link above and scroll down
to "other publications"), or ordered from: EU Public Diplomacy
Section, European Union Department (Internal), Foreign and Commonwealth
Office, London SW1A 2AH .
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The Kielder Challenge is an inclusive schools project that integrates
pupils (four with and four without disabilities) into teams of 8
to compete in an accredited outdoor education programme. See the
Fieldfare website www.fieldfare.org.uk
for more information.
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The Stationery Office publications
are priced and available from The Stationery Office, 51 Nine Elms
Lane, London, SW8 5DR; Tel: 0870 242 2345; email: Customer.Service@ukstate.com
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The Education Development Plans (England) Regulations 2001
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Stationery Office : December
2001
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ISBN 0 11 039012 1 : £2.50
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The Education (External Qualifications)
(Description of Tests) (Wales) Regulations 2001 SI3901/2001 Stationery Office : December 2001
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ISBN 0 11090390 0 : £1.75
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The Education (Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority
for Wales)
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(Conferment of Function) Order 2001 Stationery
Office : December 2001
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ISBN 0 11090391 9 : £1.75
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The Education (Inspectors of Schools in England) (No. 4) Order
2001
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Stationery Office : December 2001
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ISBN 0 11 038998 0 : £1.50
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The Education (Induction Arrangements for School Teachers) (Consolidation)
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(England) (Amendment) Regulations 2001 Stationery
Office : January 2002
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The Education (Special Educational Needs Code of Practice) (Appointed
Day)
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(England) Order 2001 Stationery
Office : January 2002
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ISBN 0 11 039195 0 : £1.50
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The Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 (Commencement)
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(Wales) Order 2002 Stationery Office :
January 2002
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