To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what guidance his Department has issued on the use of setting in schools; and when such guidance was issued.

In September 2006 we published 'Grouping Pupils for Success' (publication reference DfES03945-2006DWO-EN). This is a suite of guidance documents for primary and secondary school leaders and subject leaders/coordinators, designed to encourage effective strategies for grouping and setting. The guidance was published and promoted through the National Strategies and is available to all schools from:

www.standards.dcsf.gov.uk.

This guidance is based on independent research, commissioned by the Department and published in two phases. In September 2007 we published 'Effective Teaching and Learning for Pupils in Low Attaining Groups' (reference DCSF-RR011/DCSF-RB011), a fieldwork report. This built on research published in September 2006 entitled 'Pupil Grouping Strategies and Practices at Key Stage 2 and 3' (reference RR796/RB796). These reports are available from our research gateway at:

www.dcsf.gov.uk/research.