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1345469

registered interest
date	09/07/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Ventilation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance he has issued or plans to issue to headteachers on ensuring adequate ventilation in schools to reduce risks of covid-19 infection; to what standards schools should plan and measure that ventilation; what enforcement activity he plans to undertake that guidance is followed and risk reduced; and whether he plans to make funds available to improve standards of ventilation in schools.
tabling member constituency	Stretford and Urmston
tabling member printed	Kate Green
uin	30351
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/07/2021 answer text <p>The Department’s guidance states that it is important that schools or colleges, when open, ensure that they are well ventilated and that a comfortable teaching environment is maintained. This can be achieved by a variety of measures including using mechanical ventilation systems and/or natural ventilation, such as opening windows. In all cases, actions should be taken to encourage fresh air into the building, whilst striking a balance with thermal comfort. The guidance for schools can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak</a> and the guidance for further education colleges can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-further-education-provision" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-further-education-provision</a>.</p><p>The Department continues to review the ventilation requirements set out in the guidance, including considering whether monitoring carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) levels would be appropriate, and we are working with Public Health England and ventilation experts on a pilot project to measure CO<sub>2</sub> levels in typical classrooms.</p><p>The Department continues to keep the protective measures under review based on the latest scientific evidence and advice as this continues to evolve.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb grouped question UIN 30352 question first answered 14/07/2021 11:42:46 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4120 label Biography information for Kate Green

1345470

registered interest
date	09/07/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Further Education: Ventilation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance he has issued or plans to issue to principals of further education colleges on ensuring adequate ventilation in colleges to reduce risks of covid-19 infection; with reference to what standards should further education colleges plan and measure that ventilation; what enforcement activity he plans to undertake to ensure that guidance is followed and risk reduced; and whether he plans to make funds available to improve standards of ventilation those colleges.
tabling member constituency	Stretford and Urmston
tabling member printed	Kate Green
uin	30352
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/07/2021 answer text <p>The Department’s guidance states that it is important that schools or colleges, when open, ensure that they are well ventilated and that a comfortable teaching environment is maintained. This can be achieved by a variety of measures including using mechanical ventilation systems and/or natural ventilation, such as opening windows. In all cases, actions should be taken to encourage fresh air into the building, whilst striking a balance with thermal comfort. The guidance for schools can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak</a> and the guidance for further education colleges can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-further-education-provision" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-further-education-provision</a>.</p><p>The Department continues to review the ventilation requirements set out in the guidance, including considering whether monitoring carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) levels would be appropriate, and we are working with Public Health England and ventilation experts on a pilot project to measure CO<sub>2</sub> levels in typical classrooms.</p><p>The Department continues to keep the protective measures under review based on the latest scientific evidence and advice as this continues to evolve.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb grouped question UIN 30351 question first answered 14/07/2021 11:42:46 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4120 label Biography information for Kate Green

1345523

registered interest
date	09/07/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Education: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when his Department plans to publish a response to the Children Not In School consultation which closed on 24 June 2019.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff North
tabling member printed	Anna McMorrin
uin	30410
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/07/2021 answer text <p>The Department remains committed to a registration system for children not in school. We will set out further details on this in the Government response to the consultation, which we intend to publish in the coming months.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 14/07/2021 15:47:45 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4632 label Biography information for Anna McMorrin

1345278

registered interest
date	08/07/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Educational Institutions: Repairs and Maintenance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what financial assistance is available to support schools and colleges with the cost of essential maintenance work.
tabling member constituency	Wolverhampton South West
tabling member printed	Stuart Anderson
uin	29910
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2021 answer text <p>The Department has allocated £11.3 billion in capital funding since 2015 to improve the condition of the school estate, including £1.8 billion committed in this financial year. Allocations are informed by consistent data on the condition of the school estate.</p><p>Schools, and those responsible for school buildings, access condition funding through different routes depending on their size and type. Local authorities, large multi-academy trusts and large voluntary-aided school bodies, receive an annual formulaic school condition allocation to invest in the schools for which they are responsible.</p><p>Smaller multi-academy trusts, stand-alone academies, voluntary-aided schools not in large voluntary-aided school bodies and sixth form colleges are able to bid to the Condition Improvement Fund each year. All schools also receive funding to spend on their own capital priorities through an annual devolved formula capital allocation. Capital funding beyond the 2021/22 financial year will be determined at the Spending Review.</p><p>In addition, the Department delivers major rebuilding and refurbishment programmes centrally. My right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, announced a new, 10 year School Rebuilding Programme last June, which will replace school buildings in poor condition with modern, energy-efficient designs. The Department has announced the first 50 schools to benefit from this, as part of a commitment to 500 projects over the next decade. We expect to confirm a further 50 projects this year and plan to consult on the approach to prioritising future projects later in 2021.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 16/07/2021 16:49:26 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4742 label Biography information for Stuart Anderson

1345288

registered interest
date	08/07/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Teachers: Contact Tracing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance his Department has published on the use of the NHS App for teachers and headteachers; and whether teachers are required to switch off that App while at work.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	29846
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2021 answer text <p>The NHS COVID-19 app complements, rather than replaces, existing contact tracing processes and can be downloaded by anyone aged 16 or over.</p><p>From Step 4 of the roadmap, close contacts will be identified directly by NHS Test and Trace. Nurseries, schools and colleges will no longer be expected undertake routine contact tracing. The NHS COVID-19 app will continue to play an important role in contact tracing, by increasing its speed, reach and precision. It is able to quickly identify and notify users if they come into contact with somebody who later tests positive for COVID-19.</p><p>The app and its use are advisory, and it is up to an individual’s discretion if and how they use the app. The Department recommends that people follow its advice to help break chains of transmission and to protect others from COVID-19.</p><p>From 16 August, in line with fully vaccinated adults, under-18s identified as close contacts will not need to self-isolate and instead will be advised to take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. The NHS COVID-19 app will be updated to reflect this new policy in England.</p><p>The Department will update its guidance shortly on how the NHS COVID-19 app should be used in nurseries, schools and colleges.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 16/07/2021 15:31:57 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1345290

registered interest
date	08/07/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Coronavirus
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 level of risk to teaching and support staff of the rise in the rate of covid-19 infection among school-aged children.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	29847
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2021 answer text <p>All schools, colleges and nurseries have implemented a range of protective measures as set out in the Department’s published operational guidance. This is endorsed by Public Health England (PHE) and is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/schools-coronavirus-covid-19-operational-guidance" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/schools-coronavirus-covid-19-operational-guidance</a>.</p><p>In relaxing the majority of COVID-19 restrictions, from Step 4 of the roadmap, the Government has balanced education and health considerations, weighing the effect of these measures on teaching, pupils’ education and wellbeing, and the functioning of schools, colleges and nurseries against the risk of COVID-19.</p><p>By Monday 19 July, all those aged over 50, and the clinically extremely vulnerable, will have been offered their second vaccine dose, and all adults in England are eligible to book the COVID-19 vaccine. This level of protection means that an increasing proportion of the education workforce is vaccinated.</p><p>The Department has worked closely with the Department of Health and Social Care and PHE to revise our guidance for schools, colleges, and nurseries from Step 4. The revised guidance is available here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/999689/Schools_guidance_Step_4_update_FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/999689/Schools_guidance_Step_4_update_FINAL.pdf</a>.</p><p>All schools, colleges and nurseries should have outbreak management plans, which outline how they would operate if there was an outbreak in their setting or local area. The Government may also offer local areas of particular concern an enhanced response package to help limit increases in transmission.</p><p>The Department will continue to keep these measures under review in partnership with health experts and informed by the latest scientific evidence and advice.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 16/07/2021 15:31:18 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1345331

registered interest
date	08/07/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Pupils: Personal Records
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to ensure that information on a pupil's (a) family status and (b) known issues at home are routinely transferred from primary to secondary school.
tabling member constituency	Workington
tabling member printed	Mark Jenkinson
uin	29912
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2021 answer text <p>Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE) is statutory guidance that all schools and colleges must have regard to when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Following Government consultation, this guidance has recently been strengthened to provide schools and colleges with even more detailed advice. Details are available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education--2" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education--2</a>.</p><p>KCSIE sets out that all concerns, discussions and decisions made, and the reasons for those decisions, should be recorded in writing. Information should be kept confidential and stored securely. It is good practice to keep concerns and referrals in a separate child protection file for each child. Records should include a clear and comprehensive summary of the concern, details of how the concern was followed up and resolved, and a note of any action taken, decisions reached and the outcome. The designated safeguarding lead is responsible for the maintenance and transfer of child protection files.</p><p>KCSIE is clear that where children leave a school or college, including in-year transfers, the designated safeguarding lead should ensure that their child protection file is transferred to the new school or college as soon as possible, and within five days for an in-year transfer or within the first five days of the start of a new term. This should be transferred separately from the main pupil file, ensuring secure transit, and confirmation of receipt should be obtained. In addition to the child protection file, the designated safeguarding lead should also consider whether it would be appropriate to share any additional information with the new school or college in advance of a child leaving, to help them put in place the right support to safeguard the child.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 16/07/2021 16:52:21 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4752 label Biography information for Mark Jenkinson

1345371

registered interest
date	08/07/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Nature Conservation: Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to ensure that more school pupils, especially those from urban and inner city areas, are taught about and encouraged to take an interest in wildlife conservation; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	East Yorkshire
tabling member printed	Sir Greg Knight
uin	29730
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/07/2021 answer text <p>Topics related to climate, the environment and sustainability, including wildlife conservation issues, are covered in the science and geography National Curriculum and in GCSEs. In Key Stages 1 and 2, pupils are taught about seasons and habitats, as well as climate zones and how environments can change. Secondary school pupils are taught in geography how human and physical processes interact to influence and change landscapes, environments and the climate.</p><p>As the National Curriculum is a framework setting out the content of what the Department expects schools to cover in each subject, we expect teachers to use the flexibility and freedom they have to determine how they deliver the content in the way that best meets the needs of their pupils. If teachers wish, they can choose to cover particular topics, such as wildlife conservation, in greater depth.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 13/07/2021 14:19:19 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	1200 label Biography information for Sir Greg Knight

1345375

registered interest
date	08/07/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Ventilation
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 improve ventilation in the classroom to help ensure the safety of pupils during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	29757
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/07/2021 answer text <p>As the Department’s guidance outlines, when a school is in operation, it is important to ensure that it is well ventilated and that a comfortable teaching environment is maintained. This can be achieved through a variety of measures, including using mechanical ventilation systems and/or natural ventilation, such as opening windows. In all cases, actions should be taken to encourage fresh air into the building, whilst striking a balance with thermal comfort.</p><p>The Department continues to review ventilation guidance, including considering whether monitoring carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) levels would be appropriate. The Department is working with Public Health England (PHE) and ventilation experts on a pilot project to measure CO<sub>2</sub> levels in typical classrooms and exploring options to help improve ventilation where needed. As new evidence or data emerges, the Government updates its advice accordingly to ensure that all schools, colleges and nurseries have the right safety measures in place.</p><p>The Department has worked closely with the Department of Health and Social Care and PHE to revise our guidance for schools, colleges and nurseries from Step 4 of the roadmap. The Department’s aim is to balance the risks associated with COVID-19 whilst moving to a ‘steady state’ that minimises both the burden of implementing protective measures on staff and parents and the effect those measures have on young peoples’ educational experiences.</p><p>The Department will continue keep these measures under review, in partnership with health experts and informed by the latest scientific evidence and advice.</p><p>The guidance can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak</a>.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 13/07/2021 14:12:00 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1344616

registered interest
date	07/07/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Children: Quarantine
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment his Department has made of the effect of continuing covid-19 isolation requirements on primary school-aged children.
tabling member constituency	Romford
tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
uin	28984
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2021 answer text <p>The education of children and young people has been significantly disrupted as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. The Department has considered a broad evidence base of assessments and a summary of the latest guidance can be found here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1000025/Evidence_Summary_-_July_2021.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1000025/Evidence_Summary_-_July_2021.pdf</a>.</p><p>The Department also continues to collect and publish data on attendance. In primary schools, COVID-19 related absence was 9.8% on 8 July, up from 7.4% on 1 July and 4.5% on 24 June: <a href="https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/attendance-in-education-and-early-years-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak" target="_blank">https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/attendance-in-education-and-early-years-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak</a>.</p><p>From Step 4 of the roadmap, it will no longer be necessary to keep children and young people in consistent groups (‘bubbles’) both inside and outside of school, as well as the need to reduce mixing in nurseries. Schools will also not routinely be required to undertake contact tracing for children. Instead, pupils who test positive will be subject to the normal test and trace process, which will identify close contacts. This will be limited to very close contacts. Unless they test positive, children and those who are double vaccinated will not be required to isolate from 16 August if they are identified as a close contact. Self-isolation continues for those who have tested positive for COVID-19.</p><p>The Department will continue to keep these measures under review, in partnership with health experts and informed by the latest scientific evidence and advice.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 16/07/2021 15:32:55 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell