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1702413

	registered interest
	date	19/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Schools: Discrimination
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to (a) monitor and (b) tackle potential discrimination in schools against students based on their religious practices.
	tabling member constituency	Slough
	tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
	uin	22797
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/04/2024 answer text <p>There is currently no legal requirement for schools to allow their pupils time within the school day to pray upon request, nor are they required to provide any pupil with a physical space, such as a prayer room, to conduct their prayers. It is a matter for individual schools and headteachers to make a decision that is in the interest of their pupils. It is important when considering any requests relating to prayer that they do so in the context of the Equality Act 2010, and their public sector equality duty.</p><p> </p><p>Under the Equality Act 2010 schools must not discriminate against a pupil in a number of respects because of a characteristic protected by the Act, including religion or belief. State-funded schools are also subject to the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED). All children and young people must be treated fairly and supported to thrive and reach their potential within a respectful environment.</p><p> </p><p>The department has published guidance for schools on how to comply with their duties under the Equality Act 2010, which can be found online at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-advice-for-schools" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-advice-for-schools</a>. This includes specific advice on religion or belief.</p><p> </p><p>The PSED was introduced in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 and places a legal obligation on public authorities to consider how their policy or service decisions impacts differently on individuals. The department as a public body is required to give due regard to PSED in its decision making. According to the PSED, a public authority must, in the exercise of its functions, have due regard to the need to:</p><ul><li>Eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under this Act.</li><li>Advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.</li><li>Foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it. Protected characteristics include religion or belief.</li></ul> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds grouped question UIN 22795 22796 22798 question first answered 29/04/2024 10:07:14 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1702411

	registered interest
	date	19/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Schools: Equality and Religious Freedom
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance her Department issues to schools on balancing inclusivity and religious freedoms.
	tabling member constituency	Slough
	tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
	uin	22795
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/04/2024 answer text <p>There is currently no legal requirement for schools to allow their pupils time within the school day to pray upon request, nor are they required to provide any pupil with a physical space, such as a prayer room, to conduct their prayers. It is a matter for individual schools and headteachers to make a decision that is in the interest of their pupils. It is important when considering any requests relating to prayer that they do so in the context of the Equality Act 2010, and their public sector equality duty.</p><p> </p><p>Under the Equality Act 2010 schools must not discriminate against a pupil in a number of respects because of a characteristic protected by the Act, including religion or belief. State-funded schools are also subject to the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED). All children and young people must be treated fairly and supported to thrive and reach their potential within a respectful environment.</p><p> </p><p>The department has published guidance for schools on how to comply with their duties under the Equality Act 2010, which can be found online at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-advice-for-schools" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-advice-for-schools</a>. This includes specific advice on religion or belief.</p><p> </p><p>The PSED was introduced in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 and places a legal obligation on public authorities to consider how their policy or service decisions impacts differently on individuals. The department as a public body is required to give due regard to PSED in its decision making. According to the PSED, a public authority must, in the exercise of its functions, have due regard to the need to:</p><ul><li>Eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under this Act.</li><li>Advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.</li><li>Foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it. Protected characteristics include religion or belief.</li></ul> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds grouped question UIN 22796 22797 22798 question first answered 29/04/2024 10:07:14 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1702412

	registered interest
	date	19/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Schools: Religious Practice
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance her Department issues to non-religious schools on enforcing policies that restrict (a) prayer and (b) other religious practices.
	tabling member constituency	Slough
	tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
	uin	22796
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/04/2024 answer text <p>There is currently no legal requirement for schools to allow their pupils time within the school day to pray upon request, nor are they required to provide any pupil with a physical space, such as a prayer room, to conduct their prayers. It is a matter for individual schools and headteachers to make a decision that is in the interest of their pupils. It is important when considering any requests relating to prayer that they do so in the context of the Equality Act 2010, and their public sector equality duty.</p><p> </p><p>Under the Equality Act 2010 schools must not discriminate against a pupil in a number of respects because of a characteristic protected by the Act, including religion or belief. State-funded schools are also subject to the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED). All children and young people must be treated fairly and supported to thrive and reach their potential within a respectful environment.</p><p> </p><p>The department has published guidance for schools on how to comply with their duties under the Equality Act 2010, which can be found online at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-advice-for-schools" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-advice-for-schools</a>. This includes specific advice on religion or belief.</p><p> </p><p>The PSED was introduced in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 and places a legal obligation on public authorities to consider how their policy or service decisions impacts differently on individuals. The department as a public body is required to give due regard to PSED in its decision making. According to the PSED, a public authority must, in the exercise of its functions, have due regard to the need to:</p><ul><li>Eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under this Act.</li><li>Advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.</li><li>Foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it. Protected characteristics include religion or belief.</li></ul> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds grouped question UIN 22795 22797 22798 question first answered 29/04/2024 10:07:14 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1702414

	registered interest
	date	19/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Schools: Equality and Religious Practice
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to make an assessment of the adequacy of school policies on (a) religious practices and (b) inclusivity.
	tabling member constituency	Slough
	tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
	uin	22798
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/04/2024 answer text <p>There is currently no legal requirement for schools to allow their pupils time within the school day to pray upon request, nor are they required to provide any pupil with a physical space, such as a prayer room, to conduct their prayers. It is a matter for individual schools and headteachers to make a decision that is in the interest of their pupils. It is important when considering any requests relating to prayer that they do so in the context of the Equality Act 2010, and their public sector equality duty.</p><p> </p><p>Under the Equality Act 2010 schools must not discriminate against a pupil in a number of respects because of a characteristic protected by the Act, including religion or belief. State-funded schools are also subject to the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED). All children and young people must be treated fairly and supported to thrive and reach their potential within a respectful environment.</p><p> </p><p>The department has published guidance for schools on how to comply with their duties under the Equality Act 2010, which can be found online at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-advice-for-schools" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-advice-for-schools</a>. This includes specific advice on religion or belief.</p><p> </p><p>The PSED was introduced in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 and places a legal obligation on public authorities to consider how their policy or service decisions impacts differently on individuals. The department as a public body is required to give due regard to PSED in its decision making. According to the PSED, a public authority must, in the exercise of its functions, have due regard to the need to:</p><ul><li>Eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under this Act.</li><li>Advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.</li><li>Foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it. Protected characteristics include religion or belief.</li></ul> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds grouped question UIN 22795 22796 22797 question first answered 29/04/2024 10:07:14 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1700352

	registered interest
	date	12/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Carers: Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what financial support is available to young adult carers between the ages of 16 and 19 who are in further education; and what steps her Department takes to ensure equitable access to that support across regions.
	tabling member constituency	Slough
	tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
	uin	21239
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/04/2024 answer text <p>The department is determined that all young carers get the support they need to succeed in all stages of education.</p><p> </p><p>The department provides a range of financial support for students who need it to enable them to participate in further education. This includes free meals, bursaries to help with the cost of education, such as travel, books, equipment, and trips, plus support for childcare and residential costs where required.</p><p> </p><p>In the 2023/24 academic year, over £160 million of bursary funding has been allocated to institutions to help disadvantaged 16 to 19 year olds with the costs of taking part in education. This is nearly 12% higher than published allocations for last year. The department has also made available around £20 million each year specifically to support students in defined vulnerable groups, for example those in care, care leavers and those supporting themselves in receipt of certain social security funds or benefits.</p><p> </p><p>To ensure that the distribution of this funding around the regions matches the needs of young people, the department began moving to a new approach to allocate the fund from the 2020/21 academic year. This approach uses up to date disadvantage data and focusses more on the costs of travel to ensure that institutions get more Bursary Fund if their students are from more disadvantaged areas and/or travel a long way to attend. The 2023/24 academic year allocations fully reflect this new approach after its phasing in over several years.</p><p> </p><p>Institutions decide which young people receive bursaries and determine the level of financial support they receive. They develop their own eligibility criteria for access to the discretionary bursary fund, including setting a household income threshold appropriate to their area and must publish information on this for students.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Wantage answering member printed David Johnston question first answered 22/04/2024 12:52:32 answering member 4761 label Biography information for David Johnston
	tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

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