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1485437

	registered interest
	date	28/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Pupils: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the steps his Department has taken to help children’s education recover from the impact of the covid-19 outbreak.
	tabling member constituency	Stretford and Urmston
	tabling member printed	Kate Green
	uin	900850
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2022 answer text <p>Understanding the impact of the COVID-19 disruption on the attainment and progress of all students is a key research priority for the government. That is why we invested in research into academic progress over the 2020/21 and 2021/22 academic years with Renaissance Learning and the Education Policy Institute. The latest findings from this research, published 28 March, include data from the first half of the 2021-22 autumn term. The findings from this research have been published on gov.uk at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pupils-progress-in-the-2020-to-2022-academic-years" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pupils-progress-in-the-2020-to-2022-academic-years</a></p><p>Our latest evidence suggests recovery is happening, with primary pupils recovering around 0.1 months in reading and 0.9 months in maths since Summer 2021, and recovering 1.5 months in reading and 1.7 months in maths since Spring 2021, with pupils now only 0.8 months and 1.9 months behind in reading and maths respectively.</p><p>This is equivalent to recovering around two thirds of progress lost due to the pandemic in primary reading and around half of progress lost in primary maths since Spring 2021.</p><p>Progress for secondary pupils in key stage 3 remains a concern, with pupils now on average around 2.4 months behind in reading, having seen losses since Summer 2021.</p><p>We are making some progress in closing gaps between disadvantaged pupils and their peers, additional gaps created by the COVID-19 pandemic appear to have reduced in primary maths and secondary reading since Summer 2021. However, the gap for primary reading appears to have grown.</p><p>In line with this evidence, we have announced £1 billion to extend the recovery premium over the next two academic years. This will enable schools to provide additional support for the most disadvantaged, and will be weighted more towards secondary pupils to reflect evidence showing greater learning loss for older pupils, who also have less time left in education. This is part of the nearly £5 billion of funding we have announced for an ambitious, multi-year education recovery plan to support young people to catch up on missed learning.</p><p>Recovery funding is already making a difference. By May 2022 1.5 million courses had been started by children across England through the National Tutoring Programme, and £950 million of direct funding through the catch up and recovery premia, was helping schools to deliver evidence-based interventions based on pupil needs. In light of the success of this year’s school-led tutoring route through the National Tutoring Programme, next year we will allocate all tutoring funding directly to schools, simplifying the system and giving schools the freedom to decide how best to provide tutoring for their pupils.</p><p>In addition to this, the Schools White Paper, 'Opportunity for all: strong schools with great teachers for your child', sets out how our education system will deliver recovery, not just through our specific recovery investments, but through a wider programme of ambitious reforms that truly level up outcomes and ensure we build back better from the pandemic.</p><p>The Parent Pledge in the Schools White Paper will also make the government’s vision clear that any child who falls behind in English or maths will receive the right evidence-based targeted support to get them back on track.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 05/07/2022 16:17:55 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4120 label Biography information for Kate Green

1483425

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	National Curriculum Tests
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that SATs do not have a negative impact on the emotional wellbeing of primary school students.
	tabling member constituency	Richmond Park
	tabling member printed	Sarah Olney
	uin	25963
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2022 answer text <p>​Assessment is a crucial part of a child’s schooling and fundamental in a high-performing education system. At primary school, statutory assessments are an essential part of ensuring that all pupils master the basics of reading, writing and maths to prepare them for secondary school. Assessment data also enables parents, schools and the department to understand the impact of lost time in education and recovery initiatives.</p><p>Schools should encourage pupils to work hard and achieve well, but the department does not recommend that they devote excessive preparation time to assessments, and certainly not at the expense of pupils’ mental health and wellbeing. We trust schools to administer assessments in the appropriate way.</p><p>Research conducted by UCL Institute of Education, published in 2021, found that there was ‘little evidence to changes in [pupil] wellbeing around the time of key stage 2 tests, or that children in England become happier - either in general or about school - once these tests are over’.</p><p>Nevertheless, the department knows that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people and will have an impact in the longer-term. Mental health and wellbeing are a priority for the government, and we remain committed to promoting and supporting mental health and wellbeing support in schools and colleges. In May 2021, the department announced an investment of over £17 million of mental health funding to improve mental health and wellbeing support in schools and colleges. This includes £9.5 million dedicated to training senior mental health leads in over 8,000 schools and colleges, with an additional £3 million announced this year to extend this training to even more schools and colleges. The training will equip leads with the skills and knowledge to develop a culture and ethos that promotes positive mental health wellbeing, as well as how to make the best use of local resources to support children and young people experiencing issues such as anxiety.</p><p>The department has also recently brought together all its sources of advice for schools and colleges into a single site on GOV.UK, which includes signposting to external sources of mental health and wellbeing support for teachers, school staff and school leaders. The site is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mental-health-and-wellbeing-support-in-schools-and-colleges#mental-health-and-wellbeing-resources" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mental-health-and-wellbeing-support-in-schools-and-colleges#mental-health-and-wellbeing-resources</a>. ​</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 05/07/2022 15:45:54 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4591 label Biography information for Sarah Olney

1483426

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Primary Education: Teachers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what his latest estimate is of the number of primary schools that have a dedicated teacher for (a) music, (b) arts, (c) drama and (d) PE.
	tabling member constituency	Houghton and Sunderland South
	tabling member printed	Bridget Phillipson
	uin	25838
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2022 answer text <p>The department does not collect primary school curriculum data in the annual school workforce census. The school workforce census collects information on teaching in a sample of secondary schools and this information is published in our national statistics, the latest of which refers to the November 2021 census and is available here: <a href="https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england" target="_blank">https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england</a>.</p><p>Music, arts, drama, and physical education (PE) are vital aspects of primary school. The department supports this via the curriculum first and foremost, where music, arts, drama, and PE are part of the national curriculum, but we also want pupils to have the opportunity to engage in enrichment and physical activity, including sport. These are important for academic progress, for health and wellbeing, and for increasing life chances and future opportunities.</p><p>On 25 June 2022, the government published its refreshed national plan for music education, setting clear expectations for schools and announcing £25 million of new capital funding for musical instruments and equipment and £79 million per year until 2025 for the music hubs programme. The government also announced opportunities for pupils to stay active, continuing the £320 million PE and sport premium, as well as the School Games programme for the 2022/23 academic year. The update to the School Sport and Activity Action Plan will be published shortly and, in 2023, the government will be publishing a cultural education plan.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 30/06/2022 12:03:39 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4046 label Biography information for Bridget Phillipson

1483486

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Class Sizes: Burton
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make an estimate of the average class size in primary schools in Burton in (a) January 2019 and (b) January 2022.
	tabling member constituency	Burton
	tabling member printed	Kate Griffiths
	uin	26024
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2022 answer text <p>The average class size in Burton in January 2019 and January 2022 are as follows:</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>School</p></td><td><p>Year</p></td><td><p>Average Size (by pupil)</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Primary</p></td><td><p>January 2019</p></td><td><p>26.7</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Primary</p></td><td><p>January 2022</p></td><td><p>26.9</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Secondary</p></td><td><p>January 2019</p></td><td><p>22.2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Secondary</p></td><td><p>January 2022</p></td><td><p>22.5</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Data on class size is available at school level within the schools, pupils and their characteristics national statistics publication available at: <a href="https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics" target="_blank">https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics</a>.</p><p>This data contains the parliamentary constituency of each school which can then be aggregated to parliamentary constituency level.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker grouped question UIN 26025 question first answered 05/07/2022 11:01:50 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4773 label Biography information for Kate Kniveton

1483487

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Class Sizes: Burton
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make an estimate of the average class size in secondary schools in Burton in (a) January 2019 and (b) January 2022.
	tabling member constituency	Burton
	tabling member printed	Kate Griffiths
	uin	26025
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2022 answer text <p>The average class size in Burton in January 2019 and January 2022 are as follows:</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>School</p></td><td><p>Year</p></td><td><p>Average Size (by pupil)</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Primary</p></td><td><p>January 2019</p></td><td><p>26.7</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Primary</p></td><td><p>January 2022</p></td><td><p>26.9</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Secondary</p></td><td><p>January 2019</p></td><td><p>22.2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Secondary</p></td><td><p>January 2022</p></td><td><p>22.5</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Data on class size is available at school level within the schools, pupils and their characteristics national statistics publication available at: <a href="https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics" target="_blank">https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics</a>.</p><p>This data contains the parliamentary constituency of each school which can then be aggregated to parliamentary constituency level.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker grouped question UIN 26024 question first answered 05/07/2022 11:01:50 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4773 label Biography information for Kate Kniveton

1483530

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	National Tutoring Programme: Publicity
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the outbound call campaign relating to the National Tutoring Programme which was launched by his Department on 28 April 2022.
	tabling member constituency	Portsmouth South
	tabling member printed	Stephen Morgan
	uin	25988
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2022 answer text <p>The department’s calls to schools are part of the wider campaign to improve awareness and increase school engagement with the National Tutoring Programme (NTP), allowing more pupils to benefit from personalised catch-up support.</p><p>The costs are covered by the existing funding envelope. The department staff resource for the NTP call campaign was seven existing full time equivalent employees. Additional support was provided by up to ten agency staff already engaged by the department to deliver another campaign.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 30/06/2022 11:59:51 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4653 label Biography information for Stephen Morgan

1473081

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Schools: Platinum Jubilee 2022
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 22 June 2022 to Question 18885 on Schools: Platinum Jubilee 2022, if he will hold discussions with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on applying the lessons learned from the roll out of covid-19 vaccinations to the distribution of the Platinum Jubilee book to schools.
	tabling member constituency	Exeter
	tabling member printed	Mr Ben Bradshaw
	uin	24537
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2022 answer text <p>The department is working hard to distribute ‘Queen Elizabeth: A Platinum Jubilee Celebration’ to schools as quickly as possible. The distribution of the books is being managed by DK, as per their contract with the department. The majority of deliveries to schools in England have now been completed with 3,053,000 copies delivered as of 24 June 2022, including all books delivered to schools in Northern Ireland. The delivery process is on course to be completed by 11 July 2022 at the latest.</p><p>As we are nearing the final stages of the delivery process, a discussion with my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, is not needed.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 30/06/2022 12:09:46 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	230 label Biography information for Mr Ben Bradshaw

1473227

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Academies: Communication
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2022 to Question 18884, on Schools: Email, whether he has issued recent guidance to academy schools on ensuring that information intended for parents and supplied over email is routinely made as accessible as possible to parents who (a) lack access to a desktop computer or tablet at home, (b) do not have English as a first language and (c) may experience other challenges in opening and reading attachments to emails.
	tabling member constituency	Houghton and Sunderland South
	tabling member printed	Bridget Phillipson
	uin	24584
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/06/2022 answer text <p>The department does not issue specific guidance covering information provided from schools to parents via email. However, we would expect schools to consider the needs of their own parents, and to communicate with them in a range of effective and accessible ways. This includes considering the best way to communicate with those for whom English is not their first language, or who may be less digitally literate.</p><p> </p><p>The department issues guidance to schools and academies which sets out what school level information they need to publish online. This is a requirement for maintained schools in the School Information (England) Regulations 2008 and for many trusts in their academy funding agreements.</p><p> </p><p>As the school information regulations cover what schools must publish on their website, and not what is sent via email, it is not suitable to amend these in order to include making digital communications from schools to parents accessible.</p><p> </p><p>If a parent has concerns about information sent via email not being accessible, they should in the first instance raise these with their school.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker grouped question UIN 24585 question first answered 29/06/2022 11:06:02 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4046 label Biography information for Bridget Phillipson

1473232

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Schools: Communication
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2022 to Question 18884, on Schools: Email, if he will amend the (a) School Information Regulations and (b) Governance Handbook to ensure that schools use modern digital communications with parents in a way that is (i) effective and (ii) inclusive, especially for those parents who have difficulties using email, reading and opening attachments, and (iii) in line with wider best practice across government; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Houghton and Sunderland South
	tabling member printed	Bridget Phillipson
	uin	24585
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/06/2022 answer text <p>The department does not issue specific guidance covering information provided from schools to parents via email. However, we would expect schools to consider the needs of their own parents, and to communicate with them in a range of effective and accessible ways. This includes considering the best way to communicate with those for whom English is not their first language, or who may be less digitally literate.</p><p> </p><p>The department issues guidance to schools and academies which sets out what school level information they need to publish online. This is a requirement for maintained schools in the School Information (England) Regulations 2008 and for many trusts in their academy funding agreements.</p><p> </p><p>As the school information regulations cover what schools must publish on their website, and not what is sent via email, it is not suitable to amend these in order to include making digital communications from schools to parents accessible.</p><p> </p><p>If a parent has concerns about information sent via email not being accessible, they should in the first instance raise these with their school.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker grouped question UIN 24584 question first answered 29/06/2022 11:06:02 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4046 label Biography information for Bridget Phillipson

1472470

	registered interest
	date	22/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Teachers: Recruitment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of current routes into the teaching profession.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	23222
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/06/2022 answer text <p>Following the department’s commitment to review the initial teacher training (ITT) market in the 2019 Teacher Recruitment and Retention strategy, we welcomed the expert advisory group’s recommendations to define all ITT that leads to qualified teacher status within three core routes of undergraduate, postgraduate fee-funded, and postgraduate employment-based.</p><p>By 2024, a reformed ITT provider market will be delivering quality-assured training that places a greater emphasis than ever before on embedding structured practice into courses, ensuring trainees are ready to thrive in the classroom in their early careers. The department is also working with stakeholders as part of the scheduled review of the employment-based postgraduate teacher apprenticeship route.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 28/06/2022 11:23:04 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1472472

	registered interest
	date	22/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Teachers: Recruitment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has plans to provide support to teaching assistants in transitioning to become fully qualified teachers.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	23223
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2022 answer text <p>The department is committed to supporting teaching assistants to become qualified teachers, including through providing accessible routes into the teaching profession.</p><p>Teaching assistants that have a degree can choose from various routes, including the School Direct (tuition fees) placement or School Direct (salaried places). Both routes carry the award of qualified teacher status (QTS) and some may lead to the award of a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE).</p><p>An alternative route into teaching is through an apprenticeship.</p><p>Currently, schools have access to a range of apprenticeship standards, including the level three teaching assistant apprenticeship and level six postgraduate teacher apprenticeship (PGTA). The level six PGTA is only available to those with a degree. The department is working with all interested parties to improve the PGTA for providers, employers, and candidates as part of its scheduled review.</p><p>There are a range of other routes into teaching, including PGCE or postgraduate diploma in education (PGDE) for those with an undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification. Additionally, qualified teacher learning and skills status (QTLS) allows those without degrees to teach in schools, providing they meet the eligibility criteria. Those without a degree can also train to teach through an undergraduate degree. Unlike the apprenticeships and School Direct routes, these routes do not allow teaching assistants to train within a school they may already be employed in.</p><p>While teaching is a graduate profession, the department is working with interested parties to consider how teaching assistants and others working in schools can attain the relevant qualifications to become teachers.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker grouped question UIN 23224 question first answered 01/07/2022 15:19:18 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1472474

	registered interest
	date	22/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Teachers: Recruitment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of current routes into the teaching profession for teaching assistants without a university degree.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	23224
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2022 answer text <p>The department is committed to supporting teaching assistants to become qualified teachers, including through providing accessible routes into the teaching profession.</p><p>Teaching assistants that have a degree can choose from various routes, including the School Direct (tuition fees) placement or School Direct (salaried places). Both routes carry the award of qualified teacher status (QTS) and some may lead to the award of a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE).</p><p>An alternative route into teaching is through an apprenticeship.</p><p>Currently, schools have access to a range of apprenticeship standards, including the level three teaching assistant apprenticeship and level six postgraduate teacher apprenticeship (PGTA). The level six PGTA is only available to those with a degree. The department is working with all interested parties to improve the PGTA for providers, employers, and candidates as part of its scheduled review.</p><p>There are a range of other routes into teaching, including PGCE or postgraduate diploma in education (PGDE) for those with an undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification. Additionally, qualified teacher learning and skills status (QTLS) allows those without degrees to teach in schools, providing they meet the eligibility criteria. Those without a degree can also train to teach through an undergraduate degree. Unlike the apprenticeships and School Direct routes, these routes do not allow teaching assistants to train within a school they may already be employed in.</p><p>While teaching is a graduate profession, the department is working with interested parties to consider how teaching assistants and others working in schools can attain the relevant qualifications to become teachers.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker grouped question UIN 23223 question first answered 01/07/2022 15:19:18 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1472573

	registered interest
	date	22/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Schools: Business Rates
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what comparative assessment he has made of the levels of business rates paid by state schools and independent schools which have charitable status.
	tabling member constituency	Lancaster and Fleetwood
	tabling member printed	Cat Smith
	uin	23324
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2022 answer text <p>The department has done no comparative assessment between the levels of business rates paid by state schools and independent schools which have charitable status.</p><p>Currently, 80% mandatory rates relief is applied to academies, voluntary aided schools, and foundation schools. The majority of special schools also receive full relief because they make provision for children with a disability. In addition, under the Local Government Finance Act 1988, local authorities are permitted to grant relief against the business rate liability to certain charitable and non-profit organisations. Local authorities are able to offer discretionary relief for local authority-maintained schools in their area.</p><p>Local authorities receive funding for business rates through the national funding formula, to meet the full costs of schools’ business rates. This means the costs for local authority maintained schools’ and academies’ business rates are currently covered by the department. Therefore, there is no disadvantage to state funded schools from paying full rates, or advantage from receiving rates relief.</p><p>Charities can apply for charitable rate relief of up to 80% if a property is used for charitable purposes. Around half of independent schools are charities so enjoy at least 80% relief on business rates. The rest are private business and therefore do not benefit from such discounted business rates.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 01/07/2022 15:20:38 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4436 label Biography information for Cat Smith

1472601

	registered interest
	date	22/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Education: Publishing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of proposals relating to the curriculum Arms-Length Body in the Schools Bill on educational publishers across the country; and if he will take steps to ensure that educational publishers are able to compete on equitable terms.
	tabling member constituency	Northampton South
	tabling member printed	Andrew Lewer
	uin	23395
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/06/2022 answer text <p>As announced in the Schools White Paper, the department will establish a new arm’s length curriculum body, building on the success of Oak National Academy’s work during the COVID-19 pandemic. It will work with thousands of teachers to co-design, create, and continually improve packages of optional, free, adaptable digital curriculum resources and video lessons. These optional resources will be available across the UK, helping teachers deliver a high-quality curriculum.</p><p> </p><p>Teachers in the UK benefit from a diverse commercial education resources market that offers a range of materials to support high-quality planning and teaching. The curriculum body will work with the market, leading a broad and inclusive national process that will involve commercial education resource suppliers as well as teachers, schools, school trusts, Subject Associations, National Centres of Excellence, and many others, as it develops and delivers its support offer for schools.</p><p> </p><p>Building on our existing understanding, the department is currently working with commercial organisations to gather further information that will help us to understand the potential effect on the market. It is important to us that areas of the market that offer high-quality, carefully sequenced resources that meet teachers’ needs can continue doing so. Opportunities for educational publishers and other partners to work with the curriculum body will be open to all across the sector.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 28/06/2022 11:30:38 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4659 label Biography information for Andrew Lewer

1472611

	registered interest
	date	22/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Pupils: Refugees
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many schools have offered places to Ukrainian refugees in each local authority area.
	tabling member constituency	Warrington North
	tabling member printed	Charlotte Nichols
	uin	23442
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2022 answer text <p>The department does not hold information on how many schools have offered places to Ukrainian refugees in each local authority.</p><p>We can share headline data on how many Ukrainian children are coming into the country and out of those how many children are being allocated school places. This data is available at: <a href="https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-placements-for-children-from-outside-of-the-uk/2022-may" target="_blank">https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-placements-for-children-from-outside-of-the-uk/2022-may</a>.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 01/07/2022 15:22:05 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4799 label Biography information for Charlotte Nichols

1472612

	registered interest
	date	22/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Pupils: Refugees
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when will schools who offer places to Ukrainian refugees receive additional per pupil funding for those children.
	tabling member constituency	Warrington North
	tabling member printed	Charlotte Nichols
	uin	23443
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2022 answer text <p>For children who have arrived via the Homes for Ukraine scheme, the department has advised local authorities that funding will be on a per pupil basis for the three phases of education. This bespoke scheme enables individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to volunteer accommodation and provide a route to safety for people fleeing from Ukraine.</p><p>Eligible local authorities will receive full tariff amount for each child from Ukraine who has arrived under the Homes for Ukraine scheme up to and including 31 May 2022. This payment will be made in July 2022. Further funding allocations for children that arrive in a local authority from June 2022 onwards will be made at a later date.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 30/06/2022 12:06:49 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4799 label Biography information for Charlotte Nichols

1471970

	registered interest
	date	21/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Sign Language: Curriculum
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has had discussions with the Minister for Women and Equalities on the potential merits of including basic sign language in the social skills curriculum.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	22429
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/06/2022 answer text <p>Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.</p><p> </p><p>My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, has not had discussions with my right hon. Friend, the Minister for Women and Equalities, on including basic sign language in a social skills curriculum.</p><p> </p><p>The government does not set out guidance on a social skills curriculum for schools in England and there are no plans to make British Sign Language (BSL) part of the statutory curriculum. The statutory curriculum, including the national curriculum, is just one element in the wide-ranging education of every child which makes up the broader school curriculum.</p><p> </p><p>Schools are free to offer BSL as part of their wider school curriculum, to meet the needs of their pupils if they wish.</p><p> </p><p>The department is working with Ofqual and subject experts to develop subject content for a British Sign Language GCSE. We aim to consult publicly on the draft subject content in autumn 2022.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 28/06/2022 11:08:08 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1472091

	registered interest
	date	21/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Pupils: Assessments
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) SATs and (b) statutory testing on pupil mental health and wellbeing; and if he will make it his policy to pause such testing to allow for a profession-led review of the potential impact of the current assessment system in primary schools on pupil wellbeing.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
	uin	22569
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2022 answer text <p>Schools should support a culture of wellbeing amongst staff and pupils. The department understands that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people, and that this will have an impact in the longer-term. Although schools should encourage all pupils to work hard and achieve well in primary assessments, the department does not recommend that they devote excessive time to preparation, and certainly not at the expense of pupils’ mental health and wellbeing.</p><p> </p><p>Assessments are a crucial part of a child’s schooling and are fundamental in a high-performing education system. Statutory assessments at primary school are an essential part in ensuring that all pupils master the basics of reading, writing, and maths to prepare them for secondary school. Assessment data also enables parents, schools, and the department to understand the impact of lost time in education and recovery initiatives.</p><p> </p><p>In 2017, the government carried out a consultation into primary assessment in England. The consultation received over 4,000 responses from a diverse range of backgrounds and specialisms, providing a broad and informed range of views that informed policy on the current primary assessment system. Additionally, the department engages with teachers, parents and their representatives on a regular basis to understand their views on primary assessment.</p><p> </p><p>The department has no current plans to undertake further major reform of assessments.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 27/06/2022 09:44:12 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana

1472099

	registered interest
	date	21/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Academies
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the (a) value and (b) potential merits of the operating freedoms available to academy schools.
	tabling member constituency	Houghton and Sunderland South
	tabling member printed	Bridget Phillipson
	uin	22409
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2022 answer text <p>Academy trust freedoms include the autonomy for academy trusts to make decisions on matters such as financial governance, the school year and day, curriculum, staffing, and pay. These enable academy trusts to collaborate, innovate, and run themselves efficiently to support teachers and schools where the challenge is greatest to deliver the best outcomes for their pupils.</p><p> </p><p>As set out in the Schools White Paper, the department knows the best multi-academy trusts transform outcomes for pupils, particularly the most disadvantaged, and deliver improvement in schools and areas where poor performance had become entrenched.</p><p> </p><p>There are no provisions in the Schools Bill that undermine academy freedoms. The Schools Bill makes provisions for the Academy Trust Standards, which will bring together existing requirements currently set out across funding agreements, legislation, and the Academy Trust Handbook into a single statutory framework. This will bring greater clarity, understanding and reassurance to the sector, and will ensure the same minimum standards apply consistently to all academies now and in the future.</p><p> </p><p>The department will consult with the sector on every iteration of the Academy Trust Standards regulations.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker grouped question UIN 22410 question first answered 27/06/2022 10:45:56 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4046 label Biography information for Bridget Phillipson

1472100

	registered interest
	date	21/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Academies
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of provisions in the Schools Bill on the operating freedoms available to academy schools.
	tabling member constituency	Houghton and Sunderland South
	tabling member printed	Bridget Phillipson
	uin	22410
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2022 answer text <p>Academy trust freedoms include the autonomy for academy trusts to make decisions on matters such as financial governance, the school year and day, curriculum, staffing, and pay. These enable academy trusts to collaborate, innovate, and run themselves efficiently to support teachers and schools where the challenge is greatest to deliver the best outcomes for their pupils.</p><p> </p><p>As set out in the Schools White Paper, the department knows the best multi-academy trusts transform outcomes for pupils, particularly the most disadvantaged, and deliver improvement in schools and areas where poor performance had become entrenched.</p><p> </p><p>There are no provisions in the Schools Bill that undermine academy freedoms. The Schools Bill makes provisions for the Academy Trust Standards, which will bring together existing requirements currently set out across funding agreements, legislation, and the Academy Trust Handbook into a single statutory framework. This will bring greater clarity, understanding and reassurance to the sector, and will ensure the same minimum standards apply consistently to all academies now and in the future.</p><p> </p><p>The department will consult with the sector on every iteration of the Academy Trust Standards regulations.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker grouped question UIN 22409 question first answered 27/06/2022 10:45:56 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4046 label Biography information for Bridget Phillipson

1472107

	registered interest
	date	21/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Children and Young People: Social Mobility
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what process his Department has in place to measure social mobility in children and young people from primary school age to (a) leaving education and (b) entering higher education.
	tabling member constituency	Liverpool, Wavertree
	tabling member printed	Paula Barker
	uin	22584
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/06/2022 answer text <p>The department monitors key metrics internally and publishes data on outcomes of children and young people from early years to post-16. This includes breakdowns of data by disadvantaged and vulnerable cohorts, and by regions and local authority.</p><p> </p><p>The most relevant measures that the department tracks by these cohorts are described below, with links to the latest statistical publications:</p><p> </p><ul><li>Percentage of 5-year-olds achieving ‘expected’ level on early learning goals : <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/early-years-foundation-stage-profile-results-2018-to-2019#full-publication-update-history" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/early-years-foundation-stage-profile-results-2018-to-2019#full-publication-update-history</a></li><li>Outcomes gap between children eligible for free school meals and peers in early years foundation stage profile assessment at age 5 : <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/early-years-foundation-stage-profile-results-2018-to-2019#full-publication-update-history" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/early-years-foundation-stage-profile-results-2018-to-2019#full-publication-update-history</a></li><li>Percentage of pupils meeting the expected standard in the phonics screening check in year 1 : <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/phonics-screening-check-and-key-stage-1-assessments-england-2019" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/phonics-screening-check-and-key-stage-1-assessments-england-2019</a></li><li>Percentage of pupils meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths by end of primary school : <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/phonics-screening-check-and-key-stage-1-assessments-england-2019" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/phonics-screening-check-and-key-stage-1-assessments-england-2019</a></li><li>Percentage of pupils achieving GCSEs in English and maths (grade 4) or equivalent by age 19 : <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/level-2-and-3-attainment-by-young-people-aged-16-to-25-in-2021" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/level-2-and-3-attainment-by-young-people-aged-16-to-25-in-2021</a></li><li>Percentage of level 3 attainment by age 19 : <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/level-2-and-3-attainment-by-young-people-aged-16-to-25-in-2021" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/level-2-and-3-attainment-by-young-people-aged-16-to-25-in-2021</a></li><li>Disadvantaged gap index at key stage 2: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-curriculum-assessments-key-stage-2-2019-revised" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-curriculum-assessments-key-stage-2-2019-revised</a></li><li>Disadvantaged gap index at key stage 4 : <a href="https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/key-stage-4-performance-revised/2020-21" target="_blank">https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/key-stage-4-performance-revised/2020-21</a></li><li>19+ further education and skills achievements (qualifications) excluding community learning : <a href="https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/further-education-and-skills" target="_blank">https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/further-education-and-skills</a></li><li>Care leavers aged 21 in education, employment or training : <a href="https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoptions/2021" target="_blank">https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoptions/2021</a></li><li>Progression of 15-year-old state school students to higher education by free schools meal status : <a href="https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/widening-participation-in-higher-education/2019-20" target="_blank">https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/widening-participation-in-higher-education/2019-20</a></li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 29/06/2022 11:28:49 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4828 label Biography information for Paula Barker

1472119

	registered interest
	date	21/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Romanian Language: GCSE
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a GCSE qualification in the Romanian language.
	tabling member constituency	Luton North
	tabling member printed	Sarah Owen
	uin	22568
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2022 answer text <p>Deciding which languages are offered at GCSE is the responsibility of awarding organisations.</p><p>The government is committed to increasing the number of pupils studying languages to GCSE level and beyond, including languages that are commonly spoken in Britain. It is for this reason that teaching of languages is in the national curriculum from age 7 to 14, and why GCSEs in languages are included as part of the English Baccalaureate suite of subjects.</p><p>However, it is up to schools to decide which languages are taught as part of their curriculum, both at primary and secondary school, and the government does not specify which languages should be taught. When deciding which languages to offer, schools are likely to consider the needs of their local community.</p><p>Awarding organisations can offer a GCSE in any modern language, and this decision would be informed by matters such as the level of demand from schools, the proportion of the population in the UK speaking the language, and the availability of examiners. Thus, there is no reason in principle why a GCSE in Romanian could not be introduced, and the government would support any awarding organisation wishing to do so.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 27/06/2022 12:20:29 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4777 label Biography information for Sarah Owen

1472156

	registered interest
	date	21/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Schools: Sexual Offences
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what progress his Department has made on implementing the recommendations made in Ofsted's review of sexual abuse in schools and colleges.
	tabling member constituency	Southport
	tabling member printed	Damien Moore
	uin	22512
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2022 answer text <p>The department accepted the findings of Ofsted’s review in full and immediately began working on delivering a multi-agency, cross-departmental response, tackling the issues identified.</p><p>Local statutory safeguarding partners should support schools to address harmful sexual behaviours and sexual abuse. The department’s immediate response involved asking all 135 safeguarding partners to review working arrangements with schools and colleges in their area. We ran several events with safeguarding partners, educational establishments and sector experts, ascertaining emerging practice and barriers to effective working. This information will be shared across all safeguarding partners.</p><p>The department has published strengthened statutory Keeping Children Safe in Education Guidance in 2021, ensuring schools have clearer guidance on dealing with sexual abuse. We are further strengthening this guidance and a draft version was published in May and will take effect in September 2022. Additionally, the Child-on-Child Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment guidance have been revised.</p><p>The department has worked with the Home Office on development of the Harmful Sexual Behaviour Support Service, assisting professionals, such as teachers and designated safeguarding leads (DSLs), to tackle harmful sexual behaviours.</p><p>DSLs have a pivotal role in supporting and protecting children in school which is why we have provided more support to DSLs, enabling them to identify and address issues more confidently. We have extended our pilot of supervision and training for DSLs working alongside the Child Sexual Abuse Centre of Expertise and What Works Children’s Social Care. Later this year an online hub for DSLs will be launched, in conjunction with professionals and the sector, delivering further advice and guidance.</p><p>To address safeguarding issues online and on social media platforms, alongside the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport, we asked the Children’s Commissioner to immediately explore how children’s access to pornography and harmful content can be reduced. We have worked with the Children’s Commissioner’s Office to develop and publish a Parent’s Guide: Talking to your child about online sexual harassment. Additionally, Ministers and the Children’s Commissioner have sought reassurance from technology companies that they will identify further information which they can share, and continue to make available resources to parents, teachers, and children.</p><p>To ensure children and young people are educated about these issues, the department is supporting teachers to implement the compulsory Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum, including through producing non-statutory guidance to strengthen content and clarity on when relevant topics should be taught and asking schools to prioritise delivery of the full RSHE curriculum this academic year.</p><p>Where children and young people are affected by these issues, they continue to be supported by NSPCC’s Report Abuse in Education helpline (0800 136663). The helpline is open to anyone who has suffered sexual abuse or harassment in educational settings, and those concerned for someone else.</p><p>Work on safeguarding and child protection continues across government, including the Home Office’s Violence Against Women and Girls and Tackling Child Sexual Abuse strategies, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s Online Safety Act, the National Crime Agency’s response to abuse and exploitation, and Cabinet Office’s Stop Abuse Together campaign.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker grouped question UIN 22514 question first answered 27/06/2022 12:16:06 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4669 label Biography information for Damien Moore

1472249

	registered interest
	date	21/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Schools: Sexual Offences
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the Government has made progress on the implementation of the recommendations from Ofsted's Review of sexual abuse in schools and colleges, published on 10 June 2021.
	tabling member constituency	Southport
	tabling member printed	Damien Moore
	uin	22514
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2022 answer text <p>The department accepted the findings of Ofsted’s review in full and immediately began working on delivering a multi-agency, cross-departmental response, tackling the issues identified.</p><p>Local statutory safeguarding partners should support schools to address harmful sexual behaviours and sexual abuse. The department’s immediate response involved asking all 135 safeguarding partners to review working arrangements with schools and colleges in their area. We ran several events with safeguarding partners, educational establishments and sector experts, ascertaining emerging practice and barriers to effective working. This information will be shared across all safeguarding partners.</p><p>The department has published strengthened statutory Keeping Children Safe in Education Guidance in 2021, ensuring schools have clearer guidance on dealing with sexual abuse. We are further strengthening this guidance and a draft version was published in May and will take effect in September 2022. Additionally, the Child-on-Child Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment guidance have been revised.</p><p>The department has worked with the Home Office on development of the Harmful Sexual Behaviour Support Service, assisting professionals, such as teachers and designated safeguarding leads (DSLs), to tackle harmful sexual behaviours.</p><p>DSLs have a pivotal role in supporting and protecting children in school which is why we have provided more support to DSLs, enabling them to identify and address issues more confidently. We have extended our pilot of supervision and training for DSLs working alongside the Child Sexual Abuse Centre of Expertise and What Works Children’s Social Care. Later this year an online hub for DSLs will be launched, in conjunction with professionals and the sector, delivering further advice and guidance.</p><p>To address safeguarding issues online and on social media platforms, alongside the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport, we asked the Children’s Commissioner to immediately explore how children’s access to pornography and harmful content can be reduced. We have worked with the Children’s Commissioner’s Office to develop and publish a Parent’s Guide: Talking to your child about online sexual harassment. Additionally, Ministers and the Children’s Commissioner have sought reassurance from technology companies that they will identify further information which they can share, and continue to make available resources to parents, teachers, and children.</p><p>To ensure children and young people are educated about these issues, the department is supporting teachers to implement the compulsory Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum, including through producing non-statutory guidance to strengthen content and clarity on when relevant topics should be taught and asking schools to prioritise delivery of the full RSHE curriculum this academic year.</p><p>Where children and young people are affected by these issues, they continue to be supported by NSPCC’s Report Abuse in Education helpline (0800 136663). The helpline is open to anyone who has suffered sexual abuse or harassment in educational settings, and those concerned for someone else.</p><p>Work on safeguarding and child protection continues across government, including the Home Office’s Violence Against Women and Girls and Tackling Child Sexual Abuse strategies, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s Online Safety Act, the National Crime Agency’s response to abuse and exploitation, and Cabinet Office’s Stop Abuse Together campaign.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker grouped question UIN 22512 question first answered 27/06/2022 12:16:07 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4669 label Biography information for Damien Moore

1472263

	registered interest
	date	21/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Pupils: Attendance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Schools Bill on how Special Educational Needs will be taken into account when monitoring school attendance.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	22418
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/06/2022 answer text <p>Regular attendance at school is vital for children’s education, wellbeing, and long-term development. School attendance is mandatory, and parents have a duty, under Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 to ensure that their child of compulsory age (5-16) receives an efficient full-time education either by attendance at school or otherwise.</p><p>The department appreciates that barriers to attendance are wide and complex, particularly for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Addressing these requires strong relationships and close working between families, schools, local authorities, and other relevant local services. This is the intention of the attendance clauses in the Schools Bill.</p><p> </p><p>The Bill will put the department’s new attendance guidance ‘Working together to improve school attendance’ onto a statutory footing. This will ensure greater consistency in the attendance support offered to pupils and families, regardless of where in the country they live, and emphasises the importance of providing attendance support in an earlier and more targeted way to respond to pupils’ individual needs.</p><p> </p><p>The new guidance makes it clear that schools should develop and maintain a whole school culture that promotes the benefits of attendance, whilst recognising the interplay between attendance and wider school improvement efforts, such as strategies on mental health, wellbeing, and SEND. Schools will be expected to have sensitive conversations with pupils about their needs and work with families to develop specific support approaches for pupils with SEND. This includes establishing strategies for removing in-school barriers to attendance, ensuring attendance data of this group of pupils is regularly monitored to spot patterns and provide support earlier, including ensuring joined-up pastoral care is in place and referring pupils to support from other services and partners where necessary.</p><p> </p><p>These expectations, alongside the expectations placed on academy trust boards, governing bodies, and local authorities to work in conjunction with school staff to provide joined-up support for all pupils and families, will ensure that pupils with SEND are supported to attend school regularly.</p><p> </p><p>Alongside the new expectations in the Schools Bill, the department is currently consulting on proposed changes we want to make to the SEND and alternative provision (AP) system in England.</p><p> </p><p>The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) Green Paper, which is open for public consultation until 22 July 2022, sets out the department’s proposals for a system that offers children and young people the opportunity to thrive, with access to the right support, in the right place, and at the right time.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 29/06/2022 10:58:42 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy