Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed attachment file name title question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1726515

	registered interest
	date	02/09/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Universities: Health
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government which scientific criteria they apply in deciding whether an educational institution can describe itself as a Health Sciences University; whether these criteria could apply to an institution teaching homeopathy and other alternative therapies; and which peer-reviewed research or externally-assessed teaching the Office for Students relied upon in deciding to allow the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic and University College of Osteopathy to rebrand themselves as the Health Sciences University.
	tabling member printed	Lord Stevens of Birmingham
	uin	HL695
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/09/2024 answer text <p>When a provider requests to change its name, a strict criteria and assessment process is followed. The provider will already have undergone considerable scrutiny when being awarded Degree Awarding Powers (DAPs), including input from quality experts, drawn from the sector, to test the provider against multiple criteria. Indefinite DAP’s status is the main eligibility test for providers to be able to go through the title process.</p><p> </p><p>In this instance, the provider gained degree awarding powers in 2016 and so was able to apply for university title as per the rules set out in the Office for Students’ (OfS) ‘Regulatory advice 13: how to apply for university college and university title’, which is attached and also available at: <a href="https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/publications/regulatory-advice-13-how-to-apply-for-university-college-and-university-title/#:~:text=and%20university%20title-,Regulatory%20advice%2013%3A%20How%20to%20apply%20for%20university%20college%20and,as%20part%20of%20their%20name" target="_blank">https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/publications/regulatory-advice-13-how-to-apply-for-university-college-and-university-title/#:~:text=and%20university%20title-,Regulatory%20advice%2013%3A%20How%20to%20apply%20for%20university%20college%20and,as%20part%20of%20their%20name</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The department and the OfS were notified in September 2023 regarding the provider changing its name. When considering the proposed new name for a provider, the OfS must have due regard to the need to avoid names that are, or may be, confusing. In addition, in the instance of the newly named Health Sciences University, the OfS operated an open consultation on the proposed name. This ran from 22 February 2024 to 21 March 2024, and determined the regulator's final decision. The OfS approach is set out in their case report ‘Approval of proposed new name for AECC University College - Office for Students’, which is attached and can also be found at: <a href="https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/publications/approval-of-proposed-new-name-for-aecc-university-college/" target="_blank">https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/publications/approval-of-proposed-new-name-for-aecc-university-college/</a>.</p><p> </p><p>In addition to the OfS process, regulations brought into force under the Companies Act 2006 means that the department has responsibility for confirming that it has no objection to the use of the sensitive word ‘university’ in a business name. The OfS published approval of the proposed new name from ‘AECC University College' to 'Health Sciences University’ in July 2024. The department then considered the request from the provider to change its name to ‘Health Sciences University’ and was satisfied that the use of the word ‘university’ was appropriate in this context. The department had no objection to the use of the term ‘university’ in the proposed business name ‘Health Sciences University’ and issued the provider with a non-objection letter on 18 July 2024.</p><p> </p><p>During this consultation the OfS did not receive any responses questioning the merit of the subject area(s) of the provider.</p> answering member printed Baroness Smith of Malvern attachment 1 file name Regulatory_advice_13_how_to_apply_for_university_college_and_university_title.pdf title Regulatory advice 13: how to apply for university 2 file name Approval_proposed_new_name_aecc_university_college.pdf title Approval of proposed new name for AECC University question first answered 19/09/2024 13:48:54 answering member 269 label Biography information for Baroness Smith of Malvern
	tabling member	4924 label Biography information for Lord Stevens of Birmingham

1726572

	registered interest
	date	02/09/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	GCSE: Taiwan
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have investigated reports that China lobbied for the removal of references to Taiwan from material used in schools in connection with GCSE examinations.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL559
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/09/2024 answer text <p>The content of textbooks is a matter for individual publishers. The department does not play a role in prescribing or authorising the books that schools can use. It is for schools to determine what curriculum resources they use, and to use their judgement in assessing their content.</p> answering member printed Baroness Smith of Malvern question first answered 19/09/2024 13:46:14 answering member 269 label Biography information for Baroness Smith of Malvern
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1726793

	registered interest
	date	02/09/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	GCE A-level: Standards
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of trends in the levels of A Level results by county; and what steps she is planning to take to improve standards in areas with lower attainment.
	tabling member constituency	North Bedfordshire
	tabling member printed	Richard Fuller
	uin	3691
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/09/2024 answer text <p>Data on local authority attainment at A level is published in the ‘A level and other 16 to 18 results’ statistical release. The latest data relates to the 2022/23 academic year and data for the 2023/24 academic year will be published in November 2024. For example, A level headline measures can be found here: <a href="https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/13ce6b93-cebf-43e0-b4e4-08dccb80a395" target="_blank">https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/13ce6b93-cebf-43e0-b4e4-08dccb80a395</a>.</p><p>Ofqual also publish data from A level results day by county, which may be found here: <a href="https://analytics.ofqual.gov.uk/apps/Alevel/County/" target="_blank">https://analytics.ofqual.gov.uk/apps/Alevel/County/</a>.</p><p>High and rising standards are at the heart of this government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and improve the life chances for every child and young person, no matter their background. The department want an education system in which all children and young people can achieve and thrive and develop the skills to seize the opportunities they need to succeed in work and life.</p><p>The quality of teaching and leaders are the biggest determinants of outcomes for learners within schools and colleges. This government has moved quickly to start driving up standards by beginning work to recruit an additional 6,500 expert teachers and have already launched an independent, expert-led curriculum and assessment review. Spanning from age 5 through to age 18, the review will look closely at the key challenges to attainment for young people, and the barriers which hold children back from the opportunities and life chances they deserve. The government is also determined to continue to strengthen school and college leadership and development opportunities for staff across the profession.</p><p>Regional improvement teams, to be launched early 2025, will help drive high and rising standards. These teams will encourage and foster improvement across the system enabling schools and trusts to support each other, learn from their peers and share best practice. To drive up standards across the country, all state-funded schools will be able to draw on these new regional improvement teams for help accessing and understanding the array of available improvement programmes proven to make a real impact.</p><p>Regional improvement teams will also work with schools to utilise new school report cards for schools to identify where they are performing well and where there are areas of improvement.</p> answering member constituency Newcastle upon Tyne North answering member printed Catherine McKinnell question first answered 19/09/2024 15:09:03 answering member 4125 label Biography information for Catherine McKinnell
	tabling member	3912 label Biography information for Richard Fuller

1727312

	registered interest
	date	04/09/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Qualifications
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will pause the defunding of applied general qualifications scheduled for 2025 and 2026.
	tabling member constituency	Liverpool Wavertree
	tabling member printed	Paula Barker
	uin	4269
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/09/2024 answer text <p>In July 2024, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education announced a short pause to the defunding of qualifications to enable a review of 16-19 qualification reforms at Level 3 and below. This ensured that 95 qualifications set to lose funding this summer continue to be available to students, in accordance with the decisions of awarding organisations. This was followed by a Written Ministerial Statement by Baroness Smith, on 25 July, which is available here: <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2024-07-25/hlws20" target="_blank">https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2024-07-25/hlws20</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The department is now working to review defunding decisions and qualifications available at level three and it will set out the position before Christmas.</p><p> </p><p>The department has not announced any defunding for 2026.</p> answering member constituency Lewisham East answering member printed Janet Daby question first answered 19/09/2024 14:57:18 answering member 4698 label Biography information for Janet Daby
	tabling member	4828 label Biography information for Paula Barker

1727397

	registered interest
	date	04/09/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Children in Care: Standards
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to reform children's care services to improve outcomes for (a) children in care and (b) care leavers.
	tabling member constituency	Shipley
	tabling member printed	Anna Dixon
	uin	4312
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/09/2024 answer text <p>Reforming children’s social care is critical to deliver the government’s Opportunity Mission, to ensure that no child or young person’s background limits their ambition or life chances.</p><p>The department recognises that children in care and care leavers have poorer outcomes than their peers across all aspects of their lives, and wants all those who are in care or leaving care to have stable homes, access to health services, support to build lifelong loving relationships, and help to engage in education, employment and training.</p><p>In the King’s Speech, the government committed to introduce a Children’s Wellbeing Bill, which will allow the government to take forward the legislative changes needed to improve the children’s social care system for children in care and care leavers, including through a clearer focus on improving the support provided by government departments and relevant public bodies.</p> answering member constituency Lewisham East answering member printed Janet Daby question first answered 19/09/2024 12:46:27 answering member 4698 label Biography information for Janet Daby
	tabling member	5281

1727588

	registered interest
	date	05/09/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Special Educational Needs
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to hold discussions with (a) parents of children with SEND and (b) specialist charities that support parents on reforms to the SEND system.
	tabling member constituency	Leyton and Wanstead
	tabling member printed	Mr Calvin Bailey
	uin	4461
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/09/2024 answer text <p>The department is committed to ensuring that co-production with parents and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and with the specialist charities that support them is a priority.</p><p> </p><p>The department has two contracts which enable it to talk directly to both parents and carers of children with SEND and the specialist charities who support them in order to get their input into its policy development. The department uses these contracts to regularly discuss policy development and delivery with parents, carers and with the SEND sector. The department also presents, and hold workshops, at regular events coordinated by SEND specialist charities, such as the Council for Disabled Children, throughout the year.</p><p> </p><p>The department recognises the importance of, and will continue to work together, with parents and carers, specialist organisations, children and young people with SEND, so that they get the right support to succeed in education, lead happy and healthy lives.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Newcastle upon Tyne North answering member printed Catherine McKinnell question first answered 19/09/2024 12:51:20 answering member 4125 label Biography information for Catherine McKinnell
	tabling member	5054

1727664

	registered interest
	date	05/09/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Special Educational Needs
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the provision of SEND services.
	tabling member constituency	Exeter
	tabling member printed	Steve Race
	uin	4462
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/09/2024 answer text <p>The Conservatives have left a trail of devastation across education and that is made clear by current SEND provision. That is what this Labour government inherited.</p><p> </p><p>We recognise that the current special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system is not working and that, for far too long, too many children and families have been failed by it.</p><p> </p><p>This government is determined to address the problems and restore parents’ trust that their children will get the support they need. The department has been restructured so that SEND is now treated as part of mainstream schooling, but the government knows that this is only a small step on the road to fixing the system.</p><p> </p><p>The department will listen to and work with families to fix the foundations and deliver long-term renewal.</p><p> </p><p>The department will work with families and sector partners to improve the system, improving inclusivity in mainstream schools, and ensuring special schools work for children and young people with the most complex needs.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Newcastle upon Tyne North answering member printed Catherine McKinnell question first answered 19/09/2024 12:55:43 answering member 4125 label Biography information for Catherine McKinnell
	tabling member	5064

1727732

	registered interest
	date	05/09/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the decision to stop implementation of the Higher Education (Free Speech) Act 2023, whether she received representations that informed that decision (a) on the potential impact of that Act on universities' (i) operations and (ii) revenues in non-democratic states and (b) from academics or academic groups on matters relating to academic freedoms; and if she will publish the (A) minutes of meetings and (B) written representations received relating to that matter.
	tabling member constituency	Beaconsfield
	tabling member printed	Joy Morrissey
	uin	4423
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/09/2024 answer text <p>The decision to pause the implementation of the Higher Education (Free Speech) Act 2023 took account of views from across the higher education (HE) sector, including universities and academics, who felt that the Act is disproportionate, burdensome and damaging to the welfare of students and that it would expose HE providers to costly legal action, and that the fear of sanction could push providers to overlook the safety and wellbeing of minority groups.</p><p> </p><p>The government does not routinely publish details of meetings and correspondence that inform policy making, as this risks undermining the ability of Ministers to hear free-spoken views.</p> answering member constituency Lewisham East answering member printed Janet Daby question first answered 19/09/2024 12:53:18 answering member 4698 label Biography information for Janet Daby
	tabling member	4759 label Biography information for Joy Morrissey

1728261

	registered interest
	date	09/09/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Sir Frederick Gibberd College
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the unsuccessful module building project on students at Sir Frederick Gibberd school in Harlow.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Chris Vince
	uin	4829
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/09/2024 answer text <p>The department has not completed a formal assessment of the impact of the Caledonian building works on pupils. However, the department is aware of the significant disruption for the school and pupils. The department continues to work closely with the trust and local authority to ensure all pupils at Sir Frederick Gibberd College receive an excellent education in a safe and secure environment.</p> answering member constituency Portsmouth South answering member printed Stephen Morgan question first answered 19/09/2024 12:51:13 answering member 4653 label Biography information for Stephen Morgan
	tabling member	5237

1728295

	registered interest
	date	09/09/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Schools: Admissions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an estimate of the total number of (a) children whose parents or guardians have applied for them from independent to state sector schools and (b) independent schools that (i) closed and (ii) have announced their closure since 29 July 2024, broken down by constituency.
	tabling member constituency	Runnymede and Weybridge
	tabling member printed	Dr Ben Spencer
	uin	4863
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/09/2024 answer text <p>The department does not hold data on the total number of children whose parents or guardians have applied for them to move from independent to state sector schools.</p><p> </p><p>The Get Information about Schools website shows that five private schools across four constituencies have closed since 29 July 2024. These are shown in the table below and are also available at the following link: <a href="https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/</a>.</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Constituency</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of schools closed</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Cities of London and Westminster</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Ealing Central and Acton</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>North Dorset</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>South West Norfolk</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>The department does not routinely gather information on potential private school closures.</p><p>Since 29 July 2024, 15 private schools have opened.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Portsmouth South answering member printed Stephen Morgan question first answered 19/09/2024 14:44:04 answering member 4653 label Biography information for Stephen Morgan
	tabling member	4785 label Biography information for Dr Ben Spencer