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1699136

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Schools: Air Pollution
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will update guidance for schools on mitigating poor air quality.
	tabling member constituency	Slough
	tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
	uin	20744
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>The department takes the health, safety and wellbeing of school users very seriously. ‘Building Bulletin 101’, published by the department, provides non-statutory guidance on ventilation, thermal comfort and indoor air quality in schools. This is available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/building-bulletin-101-ventilation-for-school-buildings" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/building-bulletin-101-ventilation-for-school-buildings</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Further guidance on ventilation is included in the ‘Good Estate Management for Schools’ guidance, which is available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/good-estate-management-for-schools/health-and-safety" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/good-estate-management-for-schools/health-and-safety</a>. The department has also produced operational guidance on using CO2 monitors and managing ventilation, which is available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-co-monitors-and-air-cleaning-units-in-education-and-care-settings" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-co-monitors-and-air-cleaning-units-in-education-and-care-settings</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The department regularly reviews its guidance to ensure that it aligns with best practice and industry standards, to deliver high-quality school environments.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 16/04/2024 12:54:12 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1698596

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Supply Teachers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the level of (a) qualification and (b) experience of staff employed through teacher supply agencies on educational standards.
	tabling member constituency	Slough
	tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
	uin	20376
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>Supply teachers perform a valuable role and make an important contribution to the smooth running of schools by filling posts on a temporary basis and by covering teacher absences.</p><p>The type of school a supply teacher works in determines the qualifications required. In local authority-maintained schools, maintained special schools and non-maintained special schools, anyone who teaches is legally required to hold qualified teacher status (QTS), subject to the following exceptions:</p><ul><li>Trainee teachers working towards QTS.</li><li>Overseas trained teachers who have been in the UK less than four years.</li><li>Instructors, where special qualifications and/or experience are required and teaching assistants (provided they are directed and supervised by a qualified teacher).</li></ul><p>Academies, free schools and independent schools are not subject to these requirements and have the freedom to appoint teachers with alternative qualifications.</p><p>Headteachers are ultimately responsible for the educational performance in their schools and the governing body carries out certain checks on supply staff, and the department trusts them to take decisions about the right mix of qualifications, skills, and experience that they expect teachers in their schools to have.</p><p>In August 2018, in conjunction with the Crown Commercial Service, the department launched the agency supply deal. A link to the guidance can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deal-for-schools-hiring-supply-teachers-and-agency-workers" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deal-for-schools-hiring-supply-teachers-and-agency-workers</a>. ​The deal supports schools to get value for money when hiring agency supply teachers and other temporary school staff.</p><p>The deal has established a list of preferred suppliers that schools can access, all of which:</p><ul><li>Will be transparent with schools about the rates they charge.</li><li>Will agree to not charge finder’s fees for workers who have been in post for 12 weeks, when four weeks’ notice is given.</li><li>Will conduct consistent, rigorous background screening checks in line with the statutory guidance ‘Keeping children safe in education’.</li><li>Will be accredited by an approved accreditation body, that will audit suppliers for compliance with robust recruitment principles and the terms of the framework.</li></ul><p>The department strongly recommends that schools consider using preferred suppliers first for their agency staffing needs.</p><p>Schools can learn more about the deal at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deal-for-schools-hiring-supply-teachers-and-agency-workers" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deal-for-schools-hiring-supply-teachers-and-agency-workers</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The department commissioned a research project last year into the use of supply staff in schools. This research has surveyed and interviewed supply teachers and school leaders and will improve understanding of the supply market. Publication of the report is due in the summer.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds grouped question UIN 20377 20378 20379 20380 question first answered 16/04/2024 11:41:55 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1698597

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Supply Teachers
	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 merits of regulating the qualifications and experience of staff made available to schools through teacher supply agencies.
	tabling member constituency	Slough
	tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
	uin	20377
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>Supply teachers perform a valuable role and make an important contribution to the smooth running of schools by filling posts on a temporary basis and by covering teacher absences.</p><p>The type of school a supply teacher works in determines the qualifications required. In local authority-maintained schools, maintained special schools and non-maintained special schools, anyone who teaches is legally required to hold qualified teacher status (QTS), subject to the following exceptions:</p><ul><li>Trainee teachers working towards QTS.</li><li>Overseas trained teachers who have been in the UK less than four years.</li><li>Instructors, where special qualifications and/or experience are required and teaching assistants (provided they are directed and supervised by a qualified teacher).</li></ul><p>Academies, free schools and independent schools are not subject to these requirements and have the freedom to appoint teachers with alternative qualifications.</p><p>Headteachers are ultimately responsible for the educational performance in their schools and the governing body carries out certain checks on supply staff, and the department trusts them to take decisions about the right mix of qualifications, skills, and experience that they expect teachers in their schools to have.</p><p>In August 2018, in conjunction with the Crown Commercial Service, the department launched the agency supply deal. A link to the guidance can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deal-for-schools-hiring-supply-teachers-and-agency-workers" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deal-for-schools-hiring-supply-teachers-and-agency-workers</a>. ​The deal supports schools to get value for money when hiring agency supply teachers and other temporary school staff.</p><p>The deal has established a list of preferred suppliers that schools can access, all of which:</p><ul><li>Will be transparent with schools about the rates they charge.</li><li>Will agree to not charge finder’s fees for workers who have been in post for 12 weeks, when four weeks’ notice is given.</li><li>Will conduct consistent, rigorous background screening checks in line with the statutory guidance ‘Keeping children safe in education’.</li><li>Will be accredited by an approved accreditation body, that will audit suppliers for compliance with robust recruitment principles and the terms of the framework.</li></ul><p>The department strongly recommends that schools consider using preferred suppliers first for their agency staffing needs.</p><p>Schools can learn more about the deal at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deal-for-schools-hiring-supply-teachers-and-agency-workers" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deal-for-schools-hiring-supply-teachers-and-agency-workers</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The department commissioned a research project last year into the use of supply staff in schools. This research has surveyed and interviewed supply teachers and school leaders and will improve understanding of the supply market. Publication of the report is due in the summer.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds grouped question UIN 20376 20378 20379 20380 question first answered 16/04/2024 11:41:55 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1698598

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Supply Teachers
	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 (a) adequacy of the level of experience of cover supervisors in schools and (b) potential impact of the use of cover supervisors on (i) student safety and (ii) educational outcomes.
	tabling member constituency	Slough
	tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
	uin	20378
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>Supply teachers perform a valuable role and make an important contribution to the smooth running of schools by filling posts on a temporary basis and by covering teacher absences.</p><p>The type of school a supply teacher works in determines the qualifications required. In local authority-maintained schools, maintained special schools and non-maintained special schools, anyone who teaches is legally required to hold qualified teacher status (QTS), subject to the following exceptions:</p><ul><li>Trainee teachers working towards QTS.</li><li>Overseas trained teachers who have been in the UK less than four years.</li><li>Instructors, where special qualifications and/or experience are required and teaching assistants (provided they are directed and supervised by a qualified teacher).</li></ul><p>Academies, free schools and independent schools are not subject to these requirements and have the freedom to appoint teachers with alternative qualifications.</p><p>Headteachers are ultimately responsible for the educational performance in their schools and the governing body carries out certain checks on supply staff, and the department trusts them to take decisions about the right mix of qualifications, skills, and experience that they expect teachers in their schools to have.</p><p>In August 2018, in conjunction with the Crown Commercial Service, the department launched the agency supply deal. A link to the guidance can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deal-for-schools-hiring-supply-teachers-and-agency-workers" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deal-for-schools-hiring-supply-teachers-and-agency-workers</a>. ​The deal supports schools to get value for money when hiring agency supply teachers and other temporary school staff.</p><p>The deal has established a list of preferred suppliers that schools can access, all of which:</p><ul><li>Will be transparent with schools about the rates they charge.</li><li>Will agree to not charge finder’s fees for workers who have been in post for 12 weeks, when four weeks’ notice is given.</li><li>Will conduct consistent, rigorous background screening checks in line with the statutory guidance ‘Keeping children safe in education’.</li><li>Will be accredited by an approved accreditation body, that will audit suppliers for compliance with robust recruitment principles and the terms of the framework.</li></ul><p>The department strongly recommends that schools consider using preferred suppliers first for their agency staffing needs.</p><p>Schools can learn more about the deal at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deal-for-schools-hiring-supply-teachers-and-agency-workers" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deal-for-schools-hiring-supply-teachers-and-agency-workers</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The department commissioned a research project last year into the use of supply staff in schools. This research has surveyed and interviewed supply teachers and school leaders and will improve understanding of the supply market. Publication of the report is due in the summer.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds grouped question UIN 20376 20377 20379 20380 question first answered 16/04/2024 11:41:56 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1698599

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Supply Teachers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to take steps to assess the adequacy of qualifications held by people recruited to teacher supply agencies.
	tabling member constituency	Slough
	tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
	uin	20379
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>Supply teachers perform a valuable role and make an important contribution to the smooth running of schools by filling posts on a temporary basis and by covering teacher absences.</p><p>The type of school a supply teacher works in determines the qualifications required. In local authority-maintained schools, maintained special schools and non-maintained special schools, anyone who teaches is legally required to hold qualified teacher status (QTS), subject to the following exceptions:</p><ul><li>Trainee teachers working towards QTS.</li><li>Overseas trained teachers who have been in the UK less than four years.</li><li>Instructors, where special qualifications and/or experience are required and teaching assistants (provided they are directed and supervised by a qualified teacher).</li></ul><p>Academies, free schools and independent schools are not subject to these requirements and have the freedom to appoint teachers with alternative qualifications.</p><p>Headteachers are ultimately responsible for the educational performance in their schools and the governing body carries out certain checks on supply staff, and the department trusts them to take decisions about the right mix of qualifications, skills, and experience that they expect teachers in their schools to have.</p><p>In August 2018, in conjunction with the Crown Commercial Service, the department launched the agency supply deal. A link to the guidance can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deal-for-schools-hiring-supply-teachers-and-agency-workers" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deal-for-schools-hiring-supply-teachers-and-agency-workers</a>. ​The deal supports schools to get value for money when hiring agency supply teachers and other temporary school staff.</p><p>The deal has established a list of preferred suppliers that schools can access, all of which:</p><ul><li>Will be transparent with schools about the rates they charge.</li><li>Will agree to not charge finder’s fees for workers who have been in post for 12 weeks, when four weeks’ notice is given.</li><li>Will conduct consistent, rigorous background screening checks in line with the statutory guidance ‘Keeping children safe in education’.</li><li>Will be accredited by an approved accreditation body, that will audit suppliers for compliance with robust recruitment principles and the terms of the framework.</li></ul><p>The department strongly recommends that schools consider using preferred suppliers first for their agency staffing needs.</p><p>Schools can learn more about the deal at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deal-for-schools-hiring-supply-teachers-and-agency-workers" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deal-for-schools-hiring-supply-teachers-and-agency-workers</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The department commissioned a research project last year into the use of supply staff in schools. This research has surveyed and interviewed supply teachers and school leaders and will improve understanding of the supply market. Publication of the report is due in the summer.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds grouped question UIN 20376 20377 20378 20380 question first answered 16/04/2024 11:41:56 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1698600

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Supply Teachers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department plans to take to support schools in low income areas that may experience challenges in securing qualified supply teachers.
	tabling member constituency	Slough
	tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
	uin	20380
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>Supply teachers perform a valuable role and make an important contribution to the smooth running of schools by filling posts on a temporary basis and by covering teacher absences.</p><p>The type of school a supply teacher works in determines the qualifications required. In local authority-maintained schools, maintained special schools and non-maintained special schools, anyone who teaches is legally required to hold qualified teacher status (QTS), subject to the following exceptions:</p><ul><li>Trainee teachers working towards QTS.</li><li>Overseas trained teachers who have been in the UK less than four years.</li><li>Instructors, where special qualifications and/or experience are required and teaching assistants (provided they are directed and supervised by a qualified teacher).</li></ul><p>Academies, free schools and independent schools are not subject to these requirements and have the freedom to appoint teachers with alternative qualifications.</p><p>Headteachers are ultimately responsible for the educational performance in their schools and the governing body carries out certain checks on supply staff, and the department trusts them to take decisions about the right mix of qualifications, skills, and experience that they expect teachers in their schools to have.</p><p>In August 2018, in conjunction with the Crown Commercial Service, the department launched the agency supply deal. A link to the guidance can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deal-for-schools-hiring-supply-teachers-and-agency-workers" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deal-for-schools-hiring-supply-teachers-and-agency-workers</a>. ​The deal supports schools to get value for money when hiring agency supply teachers and other temporary school staff.</p><p>The deal has established a list of preferred suppliers that schools can access, all of which:</p><ul><li>Will be transparent with schools about the rates they charge.</li><li>Will agree to not charge finder’s fees for workers who have been in post for 12 weeks, when four weeks’ notice is given.</li><li>Will conduct consistent, rigorous background screening checks in line with the statutory guidance ‘Keeping children safe in education’.</li><li>Will be accredited by an approved accreditation body, that will audit suppliers for compliance with robust recruitment principles and the terms of the framework.</li></ul><p>The department strongly recommends that schools consider using preferred suppliers first for their agency staffing needs.</p><p>Schools can learn more about the deal at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deal-for-schools-hiring-supply-teachers-and-agency-workers" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deal-for-schools-hiring-supply-teachers-and-agency-workers</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The department commissioned a research project last year into the use of supply staff in schools. This research has surveyed and interviewed supply teachers and school leaders and will improve understanding of the supply market. Publication of the report is due in the summer.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds grouped question UIN 20376 20377 20378 20379 question first answered 16/04/2024 11:41:56 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1697886

	registered interest
	date	21/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Nutrition: Education
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she is taking steps to include information about the benefits of eating (a) wholemeal and (b) traditionally made bread in the school curriculum to promote healthier eating habits.
	tabling member constituency	Slough
	tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
	uin	19929
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/04/2024 answer text <p>The government wants to support the health and well-being of everyone. The department recognises the importance of education in delivering this aim and is supporting schools in a number of ways to provide high-quality healthy eating education for their students.</p><p> </p><p>The department does not specify how schools should teach the curriculum. It is a framework setting out the content of what the department expects schools to cover in each subject and trusts that teachers will develop the right approach for pupils in their particular school.</p><p> </p><p>Cooking and nutrition are a discrete strand of the national curriculum for design and technology and is compulsory for key stages 1 to 3. The curriculum aims to teach children how to cook and how to apply the principles of healthy eating and nutrition. Students should become competent in a range of cooking techniques, as well as understanding the characteristics of a broad range of ingredients. The curriculum does not specify bread, but teachers may choose to include it among the foods they study.</p><p> </p><p>A food preparation and nutrition GCSE, introduced in September 2016, requires pupils to understand and apply the principles of food science, nutrition and healthy eating when preparing and cooking food. Pupils learn about bread when studying food groups, where they could learn about the nutritional benefits of wholemeal. Similarly, they develop dough making skills in the preparation section of the course, allowing them to learn about traditional bread making.</p><p> </p><p>The importance of healthy eating is also included in the science curriculum for both primary and secondary schools. Healthy eating is covered through topics relating to nutrition and digestion, which cover the content of a healthy diet and the impact of diet on how the body functions.</p><p> </p><p>The statutory guidance for Relationships, Sex and Health Education includes content on the importance of daily exercise, good nutrition and the risks associated with an inactive lifestyle, including obesity.</p><p> </p><p>Oak National Academy will be providing a fully resourced curriculum for key stage 1 to key stage 3 for food and nutrition. This will align with the national curriculum and also Oak’s guiding principles, which focus on the knowledge and skills specific to food and nutrition.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, the standards for school food are set out in the requirements for school food regulations 2014, which can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/standards-for-school-food-in-england" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/standards-for-school-food-in-england</a>. These regulations are to ensure that schools provide children with healthy food and drink options, and to make sure that children get the energy and nutrition they need across the school day. The standards require bread, with no added fat or oil, to be available every day. The ‘School food standards practical guide’ encourages use of wholegrain varieties of starchy foods, as well as using at least half wholemeal or granary flour when making bread, puddings, cakes, biscuits, batters and sauces. The ‘School food standards practical guide’ can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-food-standards-resources-for-schools/school-food-standards-practical-guide#the-standards-for-school-lunch" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-food-standards-resources-for-schools/school-food-standards-practical-guide#the-standards-for-school-lunch</a>.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 02/04/2024 13:31:42 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1697456

	registered interest
	date	20/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Schools: Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to review the current funding formula for schools to ensure that it is adjusted for (a) inflation and (b) increases in the cost of living.
	tabling member constituency	Slough
	tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
	uin	19682
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2024 answer text <p>The overall core school budget will total £60.7 billion in the 2024/25 financial year, the highest ever level in real terms per pupil. School funding is therefore set to have risen by £11 billion next year, compared with 2021/2022.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 27/03/2024 16:45:53 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1697538

	registered interest
	date	20/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Literacy
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what data her Department holds on levels of adult literacy in the UK; and what steps she is taking to increase adult literacy levels.
	tabling member constituency	Slough
	tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
	uin	19687
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2024 answer text <p>The department recognises the importance of good literacy skills, both in work and everyday life. Securing good levels of literacy has a positive impact on participation in society, improves earnings and employment opportunities and opens doors to further learning.</p><p>The department participates in the OECD’s International Survey of Adult Skills, which was last conducted in England and 24 other countries in 2011-12. The results show that 16% of 16-65-year-olds have the literacy skills of an 11 year old, or lower. The next survey is due to report in late 2024. A link to view the OECD adult skills surveys can be found here: <a href="https://www.oecd.org/skills/piaac/" target="_blank">https://www.oecd.org/skills/piaac/</a>.</p><p>The government has also conducted the Skills for Life survey in 2011 which provided a national profile of adult literacy, numeracy, and ICTskills, and assessed the impact that different levels of skills had on people’s lives. The survey findings were published in 2012 and reported that, in England, 15% of the working age population have the literacy skills of an 11 year old, or lower (an estimated 5 million people).</p><p>The department also gathers data annually from providers delivering government funded adult further education (FE) and skills provision in England. The latest statistics can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/further-education-and-skills-march-2024" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/further-education-and-skills-march-2024</a>.</p><p>To improve essential literacy and numeracy skills, a legal entitlement was introduced through the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (Sections 87-89).This legal entitlement can be viewed here: <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/22/part/4/chapter/1/crossheading/education-and-training-for-persons-aged-19-or-over-etc" target="_blank">https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/22/part/4/chapter/1/crossheading/education-and-training-for-persons-aged-19-or-over-etc</a>.</p><p>Through its legal entitlement, the department provides fully-funded study for adults who do not have essential literacy skills up to the equivalent of a GCSE grade 4/C or higher. In the 2022/23 academic year, around 223,000 learners participated in a literacy course funded through the entitlement.</p><p>The department supports all adults for whom English is not their first language to secure the English language skills they need. Adults are fully-funded or co-funded to study English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses and qualifications up to and including GCSE 4/C equivalent. The number of learners participating in ESOL courses and qualifications continues to grow, with around 144,000 learners in the 2022/23 academic year. Already, round 120,000 learners have participated in ESOL courses in the first two quarters of this academic year.</p><p>The department recognises that community learning within its Adult Education Budget (AEB) can play a valuable role in helping individuals improve their literacy, particularly for learners where a qualification is not the most appropriate first step.</p><p>Currently 60% of the AEB has been devolved to 9 Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) and delegated to the Mayor of London, working where appropriate through the Greater London Authority (GLA). These authorities are responsible for the provision of adult education and allocation of the AEB in their local areas, including funding of English and maths statutory entitlements. The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) is responsible for the remaining AEB in non-devolved areas where colleges and other training providers have the freedom and flexibility to determine how they use their AEB to best meet the needs of their communities.</p> answering member constituency Harlow answering member printed Robert Halfon question first answered 26/03/2024 15:57:11 answering member 3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon
	tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1696673

	registered interest
	date	18/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Internet: Young People
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she plans to take to help (a) educate young people about the dangers of internet use and (b) prevent engagement in harmful online activities by young people.
	tabling member constituency	Slough
	tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
	uin	19141
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2024 answer text <p>As part of the statutory relationships and health education in primary schools and relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) in secondary schools, pupils are taught about online safety and harms. This includes being taught about what positive, healthy and respectful online relationships look like, the effects of their online actions on others, how to recognise and display respectful behaviour online, and where to get help and support for issues that occur online. The government’s guidance for primary and secondary school teaching on relationships, sex and health education can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education/relationships-education-primary" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education/relationships-education-primary</a> and: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education/relationships-and-sex-education-rse-secondary" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education/relationships-and-sex-education-rse-secondary</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The department has updated the Teaching Online Safety in Schools non-statutory guidance (2023), on how to teach about all aspects of internet safety in a coordinated and coherent way across their curriculum. Teaching about online safety also complements the computing curriculum, which covers the principles of online safety at all key stages, with progression in the content to reflect the different and escalating risks that pupils face. The computing curriculum can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-computing-programmes-of-study" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-computing-programmes-of-study</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The statutory ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ guidance, which all schools and colleges must have regard to when drawing up and implementing their own safeguarding policies, has been strengthened with regards to online safety in recent years. Governing bodies and proprietors should ensure online safety is a running and interrelated theme whilst devising and implementing their whole school or college approach to safeguarding and related policies and procedures. This includes doing all that they reasonably can to limit children’s exposure to the harmful online content on the school’s or college’s IT system.</p><p> </p><p>The department has brought forward the review of the RSHE curriculum and statutory guidance. Stakeholders will have the opportunity to feed into the process through a thorough consultation. Following the consultation, the department will make a decision about any new content to be included in the RSHE curriculum. The department expects to publish the revised guidance soon after.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 25/03/2024 17:37:51 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi