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1680498

registered interest
date	08/01/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Physical Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make it her policy to instruct schools to provide children with at least two hours of physical activity per week.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	8483
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/01/2024 answer text <p>The department does not prescribe the time allocated to individual subjects; it is for schools to decide how much time is spent on any subject. The updated School Sport and Activity Action Plan published in July 2023 does however, set out that two hours of PE is the expectation for schools to be able to demonstrate that they are providing a good minimum amount of PE time. The department plans to publish non-statutory guidance early this year to illustrate the practical steps taken by schools to provide two hours of PE and equal access for girls and boys.</p><p>The government’s Get Active strategy published in August 2023 also provides a blueprint for how a system wide approach including schools can get 1 million more children meeting the Chief Medial Officers’ daily recommended amount of moderate to vigorous physical activity.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 15/01/2024 11:07:34 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1680518

registered interest
date	08/01/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	South Bank Multi Academy Trust: Standards
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will request Ofsted to undertake an investigation into (a) the adequacy of (i) disciplinary and (ii) other policies at South Bank Multi Academy Trust and (b) the potential impact of those policies on school attendance rates.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	8503
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2024 answer text <p>Ofsted plays a vital role by providing independent judgement on the educational performance of each school within a trust through its school inspection programme. The department, acting through the Regional Directors, will act wherever an academy is judged ‘Inadequate’ by Ofsted. As part of school level inspections, inspectors consider how leaders and other staff create a safe, calm, orderly and positive environment in the school and the impact this has on the behaviour and attitudes of pupils. Inspectors will also expect schools to do all they reasonably can to achieve the highest possible attendance.</p><p>Of the six academies in South Bank Multi-Academy Trust (MAT), five have been rated Good or Outstanding since the autumn term of 2022. Under current leadership, South Bank MAT saw success in their sponsorship of the former Ofsted ‘Inadequate’ School, York High School, which was rated ‘Good’ in all categories. For York High School, the published report states “Expectations are clear. Pupils know the standards for behaviour and attitudes when they arrive at school in Year 7. Inspectors visited classroom where positive attitudes to learning were common. Staff and pupils enjoy the calm atmosphere in lessons. In the few instances where low-level disruption does occur, staff use the school’s approach to positive behaviour effectively”. Five months ago, Carr Junior School was also inspected and the published Ofsted report states that “Behaviour around school is calm and purposeful… the school have established a positive culture of behaviour”.</p><p>The appropriate use of suspensions and exclusions is an element of South Bank MAT’s approach to improving behaviour, and it remains a key focus for the trust to examine and review attendance patterns. The Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Team will continue to work closely with South Bank MAT, as they do with all of their academy trusts, to understand the impact.</p><p>School attendance is a top priority for the government. The evidence is clear that being in school is vitally important for children’s attainment, mental wellbeing, safety and long-term development. Attendance is everyone’s business. The department has set out stronger expectations of the system to work together to support those at risk of being persistently absent.</p><p>The Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Team are in regular contact with South Bank MAT, and the Regional Director for Yorkshire and the Humber, Alison Wilson, visited South Bank MAT on 21 September 2023. Currently the Regional Director, is satisfied with the performance of the academies within South Bank MAT, and content that there is a culture of improvement to drive up standards and engagement of pupils. The Regional Director is also satisfied that trust policies (including the trust’s behaviour policy) are up-to-date and compliant with departmental guidance. As such, Ofsted will not be commissioned to further investigate South Bank MAT.</p><p>The department understands that accountability of MATs, including attendance, behaviour and support for pupils with special educational needs is a key concern within the City of York. All schools, including academies, are under a duty to co-operate with the local authority to improve children’s wellbeing. The department expects local authorities and academies to work collaboratively together in relation to the wellbeing of children and particularly children who are disadvantaged, vulnerable or at risk.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 16/01/2024 12:24:41 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1680520

registered interest
date	08/01/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Academies: Local Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of local authority powers to intervene in multi-academy trusts.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	8505
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2024 answer text <p>Academy trusts are directly accountable to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, through their funding agreements. The Secretary of State has a range of powers to intervene in trusts where they are not meeting their legal obligations, as well as powers to intervene in individual academies that are failing to meet the required standards. Where local authorities have concerns about the conduct of academy trusts they should raise these with the department as the body responsible for ensuring that trusts are complying with their funding agreements. The department’s ‘Schools causing concern’ guidance provides further information on the Secretary of State intervention powers, and is available at: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/659d064e614fa20014f3aa63/Schools_causing_concern_guidance.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/659d064e614fa20014f3aa63/Schools_causing_concern_guidance.pdf</a>.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 16/01/2024 12:30:52 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1680521

registered interest
date	08/01/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Pupils: Mental Health
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of school behaviour policies on the mental health of students who (a) have mental health needs and (b) are neurodivergent.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	8506
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/01/2024 answer text <p>The department does not collect data on the impact of behaviour policies on pupils who have mental health needs or are neurodivergent, or those who are absent from school.</p><p>In July 2022, the department published updated guidance on Behaviour in Schools and Suspension and Permanent Exclusion statutory guidance. These documents provide clarity and support to schools on how to manage behaviour well for all pupils in the school community.</p><p>Any school behaviour policy must be lawful, proportionate and reasonable and comply with the school’s duties under the Equality Act 2010 and the Education and Inspections Act 2006. Account must be taken of a pupil’s age, any Special Educational Needs or Disability (SEND) they may have, and any religious requirements affecting them.</p><p>Schools have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to take such steps as is reasonable to avoid any substantial disadvantage to a disabled pupil caused by the school’s policies or practices. Within these legal parameters, it is then for individual schools to develop their own policies.</p><p>Some pupils find it harder than others to attend school and therefore schools and partners should work with pupils and parents to identify and overcome any barriers to attendance by building strong and trusting relationships and working together to put the right support in place.</p><p>Securing good attendance cannot therefore be seen in isolation, and effective practices for improvement will involve close interaction with schools’ efforts on curriculum, behaviour, bullying, SEND support, pastoral and mental health and wellbeing, and effective use of resources, including pupil premium.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds grouped question UIN 8507 question first answered 15/01/2024 10:49:34 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1680522

registered interest
date	08/01/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Discipline
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of school behaviour policies on levels of school refusal among children.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	8507
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/01/2024 answer text <p>The department does not collect data on the impact of behaviour policies on pupils who have mental health needs or are neurodivergent, or those who are absent from school.</p><p>In July 2022, the department published updated guidance on Behaviour in Schools and Suspension and Permanent Exclusion statutory guidance. These documents provide clarity and support to schools on how to manage behaviour well for all pupils in the school community.</p><p>Any school behaviour policy must be lawful, proportionate and reasonable and comply with the school’s duties under the Equality Act 2010 and the Education and Inspections Act 2006. Account must be taken of a pupil’s age, any Special Educational Needs or Disability (SEND) they may have, and any religious requirements affecting them.</p><p>Schools have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to take such steps as is reasonable to avoid any substantial disadvantage to a disabled pupil caused by the school’s policies or practices. Within these legal parameters, it is then for individual schools to develop their own policies.</p><p>Some pupils find it harder than others to attend school and therefore schools and partners should work with pupils and parents to identify and overcome any barriers to attendance by building strong and trusting relationships and working together to put the right support in place.</p><p>Securing good attendance cannot therefore be seen in isolation, and effective practices for improvement will involve close interaction with schools’ efforts on curriculum, behaviour, bullying, SEND support, pastoral and mental health and wellbeing, and effective use of resources, including pupil premium.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds grouped question UIN 8506 question first answered 15/01/2024 10:49:34 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1680523

registered interest
date	08/01/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Legionnaires' Disease
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to ensure that an outbreak of legionella in a school is followed by an assessment of the adequacy of the steps taken (a) before and (b) after the outbreak.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	8508
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2024 answer text <p>The department takes the health and wellbeing of both pupils and staff very seriously. Schools need to be safe, well-maintained, and compliant with all relevant regulations. This is the responsibility of those running our schools, which includes local authorities, academy trusts and voluntary aided school bodies.</p><p>Guidance on legionella, and the relevant duties of an employer, or a person in control of a premises, 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 works closely with other government departments to ensure that all guidance reflects the latest best practice.</p><p>The relevant duties of an employer, or a person in control of a premises, are further outlined on Health and Safety Executive’s website, and can be found here: <a href="https://www.hse.gov.uk/legionnaires/what-you-must-do.htm" target="_blank">https://www.hse.gov.uk/legionnaires/what-you-must-do.htm</a>.</p><p>There is no requirement for the department to be informed of each individual case of legionella discovery in schools, or of any subsequent action.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 16/01/2024 12:20:58 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1680525

registered interest
date	08/01/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	All Saints Roman Catholic School York and Tang Hall Primary School: Repairs and Maintenance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make funding available to help (a) Tang Hall Community School and (b) All Saints Roman Catholic School commence building upgrades.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	8510
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2024 answer text <p>The department has already included Tang Hall Community School and All Saints Roman Catholic School in the School Rebuilding Programme. Funding will be made available for both schools.</p><p>Tang Hall Community School is in the delivery phase and procurement is underway.</p><p>The department wrote to All Saints Roman Catholic School and the responsible body, Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust, in July 2023 to confirm it is expected to enter delivery from April 2025.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 16/01/2024 12:14:50 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1680577

registered interest
date	08/01/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Attendance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of children not attending school on safeguarding.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	8533
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2024 answer text <p>The department is clear that regular school attendance is important for children’s educational progress, for their wellbeing, their safeguarding and for their wider development.</p><p>Local authorities have duties to ensure all children in their area are receiving a suitable education and are safe. They have powers to make enquiries with parents as to whether a suitable education appears to be being provided.</p><p>​Local authorities should be ready to use safeguarding powers appropriately and when warranted. Local authorities also have a duty to make arrangements to identify children missing education (not in school or receiving suitable education).</p><p>​The government ran a call for evidence on improving support for children missing education from 18 May to 20 July 2023. Evidence will be used to inform future policy to ensure all children, especially the most vulnerable in our society, are safe and have access to an excellent education. The government will issue a response in due course. ​</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 16/01/2024 12:11:23 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1680578

registered interest
date	08/01/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Education: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made a recent assessment of the effectiveness of schemes developed by schools and local authorities to help children who are not in education return to educational settings.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	8534
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2024 answer text <p>Local authorities have a duty under Section 436A of the Education Act 1996 to make arrangements to identify children not registered at school and not receiving suitable education. They have powers to make enquiries when they have reason to believe that a child is not receiving education. The department has issued statutory guidance for local authorities on ‘Children missing education’ and those receiving Elective Home Education to support them in meeting their duties.</p><p>Local authorities also have a responsibility under Section 19 to make arrangements for the provision of suitable education for children who need it. The department has issued statutory guidance on alternative provision, which includes information on the reintegration of pupils into mainstream education.</p><p>The department wants local authorities to be supported in ensuring that all children are receiving a suitable education and continues to take steps to promote best practice.</p><p>On 26 October 2023, the government opened a public consultation to gather views on proposed changes to the non-statutory elective home education guidance to local authorities and parents, with the aim of emphasising responsibilities and improving practices and relationships. This consultation is open for contributions until 18 January 2024.</p><p>The government also ran a call for evidence on improving support for children missing education from 18 May to 20 July 2023. Evidence will be used to inform future policy to ensure all children, especially the most vulnerable in our society, are safe and have access to an excellent education. The government will issue a response in due course.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 16/01/2024 12:18:14 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1680579

registered interest
date	08/01/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Curriculum
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the diversity of the content of the national curriculum on levels of engagement with education.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	8535
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/01/2024 answer text <p>The department wants all children to be inspired, confident and motivated at school. The curriculum achieves this by fostering competence and mastery in each subject and inspires pupils by introducing them to the best that has been thought and said, opening access to their intellectual, cultural and scientific inheritance.</p><p>Providing every child with a broad, ambitious, knowledge-rich curriculum is essential to the task of spreading opportunity and levelling up. In turn, this ensures that pupils are equipped with the vital knowledge and skills they need to contribute to society and for their future careers. It is important that every school has a well-designed and well-sequenced curriculum which ensures children acquire knowledge in a broad range of subjects and prepares them, after the age of 16, to specialise and succeed in further and higher education or training.</p><p>The department knows that improving school attendance is vitally important to learning, wellbeing and safety, but that the barriers to attendance are complex and can often start beyond the school gate. The department remains committed to ensuring children are supported to attend school regularly, and school attendance is the Secretary of State’s top priority. That is why, this month, the department has expanded attendance hubs, supporting 1,000 additional schools, and invested £15 million to expand the attendance mentor programme. Securing good attendance cannot be seen in isolation, and effective practices for improvement involve close interaction with schools’ efforts on curriculum.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 15/01/2024 10:56:58 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell