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1127747

registered interest
date	21/05/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Languages: GCSE
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the difficulty in obtaining top grades in exams on the number of students choosing to study a foreign language at GCSE.
tabling member constituency	Dulwich and West Norwood
tabling member printed	Helen Hayes
uin	257044
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>The Department is aware that many factors can influence a student’s decision to study languages at GCSE level. As the regulator of qualifications, examinations and assessment in England, Ofqual takes claims of grading severity in modern foreign languages (MFL) seriously. Ofqual is currently conducting a comprehensive review of grading standards in GCSE French, German and Spanish to see if there is a compelling case for an adjustment to grading standards in these subjects. Ofqual’s review will consider statistical evidence, contextual data including trends in the numbers taking these subjects, and the quality of students’ work through looking at how GCSE grades relate to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Ofqual is also gathering the views of subject experts and other stakeholders and is due to report on this work in autumn 2019.</p><p> </p><p>The Department wants to see more pupils taking a language GCSE. We are supporting schools to increase the number of pupils taking GCSEs in languages through several programmes including, the £4.8 million MFL pedagogy programme, an undergraduate digi-mentoring scheme, the £10 million Mandarin Excellence Programme, and targeted communications activity at key points in the school year to challenge misconceptions about studying languages.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 04/06/2019 07:39:28 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4510 label Biography information for Helen Hayes

1127748

registered interest
date	21/05/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	English Baccalaureate
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans his Department has to ensure that grades awarded for EBaccs are comparable across all subjects.
tabling member constituency	Dulwich and West Norwood
tabling member printed	Helen Hayes
uin	257045
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>This is a matter for the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). I have asked its Chief Regulator, Sally Collier, to write directly to the hon. Member and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. ​​</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 04/06/2019 07:40:39 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4510 label Biography information for Helen Hayes

1127751

registered interest
date	21/05/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education: Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, for what reason Government funding was withdrawn for the Quality Assurance Agency's regulatory and Quality Assurance licensing of Access Validating Agency's for the new academic year 2019-20.
tabling member constituency	Blackpool South
tabling member printed	Gordon Marsden
uin	256937
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>Under the Higher Education and Research Act 2017, the Office for Students cannot pay the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) to regulate or quality assure Access Validating Agency’s or Access to Higher Education Courses beyond 31 July 2019.</p><p> </p><p>The department has spoken with the QAA to discuss how it is adapting to the conclusion of these historic contracts and will hold further discussions later in the year.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 04/06/2019 07:42:47 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
tabling member	465 label Biography information for Gordon Marsden

1127786

registered interest
date	21/05/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Arts: Curriculum
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what his policy is on the inclusion of music, dance and theatre in the school curriculum.
tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
uin	256913
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>The Department strongly believes that the arts form an important part of a broad and balanced National Curriculum, which is why art &amp; design, dance, drama and music are compulsory for pupils aged 5-14 in state-maintained schools. The arts contribute significantly towards our economy and can transform lives and introduce young people to a huge range of opportunities. As a result, the Department is providing nearly £500 million of funding between 2016 and 2020 for a diverse portfolio of arts and music education programmes. £300 million of this funding is ring-fenced to support music education. The Department funds other music, dance and drama programmes as well, and also provides opportunities for young people to attend Saturday Arts Clubs and visit museums.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 04/06/2019 07:44:15 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

1127816

registered interest
date	21/05/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Children in Care
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 number of children in unregistered children's homes in each year since 2010.
tabling member constituency	Ashton-under-Lyne
tabling member printed	Angela Rayner
uin	257079
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>The information requested is not held centrally.</p><p>Information on the placements of children looked-after is collected annually and published in the statistical release “Children looked after in England (including adoptions): 2017 to 2018”. The latest release is available on the department’s statistical web page at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2017-to-2018" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2017-to-2018</a>. Previous releases can be located here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-looked-after-children" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-looked-after-children</a>.</p><p>Any child specifically placed in unregistered provision could be reported across a number of placement categories, but not exclusively in any, so we can not estimate the number of children placed within unregistered homes.</p><p>Unregulated accommodation can be the right option for some older children in care and care leavers aged 16 or 17, providing a stepping-stone towards moving into an independent tenancy.</p><p>However, I want a better understanding of the use of this type of provision and have commissioned a piece of research to understand the issues related to the use of unregistered and unregulated provision. Sir Alan Wood, in his role as chair of the Residential Care Leadership Board, will oversee this work, which will develop our understanding of the reasons for local authorities placing children in these settings and their quality. I visited some unregulated provision on 23 May to further my knowledge of this type of accommodation.</p><p>In May, I wrote to all Directors of Children’s Services asking them to ensure that the accommodation they use is suitable; and to ensure that young people are getting the support they need.</p><p>I take providing appropriate support to young people in care and leaving care very seriously. That is why the government is funding local authorities to implement ‘Staying Put’, which allows care leavers to stay with their foster carer up to the age of 21, and piloting ‘Staying Closer’ in 8 local authorities, which provides an enhanced support offer for young people leaving residential care.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 04/06/2019 13:06:05 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
tabling member	4356 label Biography information for Angela Rayner

1127461

registered interest
date	20/05/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Further Education: Domestic Visits
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether (a) he and (b) any Ministers in his Department visited a further education college on or between 13 and 17 May 2019.
tabling member constituency	Ashton-under-Lyne
tabling member printed	Angela Rayner
uin	256317
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2019 answer text <p>My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, and ministers in the department did not visit a further education college on the dates of 13 and 17 May 2019 or between these dates.</p> answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton question first answered 23/05/2019 11:22:13 answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton
tabling member	4356 label Biography information for Angela Rayner

1127542

registered interest
date	20/05/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Pollution
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department took to alert (a) schools and (b) nurseries to pollution episodes in England during April 2019.
tabling member constituency	Leeds North West
tabling member printed	Alex Sobel
uin	256345
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2019 answer text <p>Outdoor air quality is a responsibility of local authorities. The Department does not currently monitor air quality in schools, nurseries or other educational institutions. Where there are concerns about air quality, a local authority must prepare an air quality action plan. The Department has recently published ‘Building Bulletin 101 Ventilation of School Buildings’, which provides guidance on achieving good indoor air quality in new and refurbished schools.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb grouped question UIN 256346 256347 question first answered 23/05/2019 13:59:45 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4658 label Biography information for Alex Sobel

1127543

registered interest
date	20/05/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Pollution
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government is taking to protect children in (a) schools and (b) nurseries from pollution episodes.
tabling member constituency	Leeds North West
tabling member printed	Alex Sobel
uin	256346
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2019 answer text <p>Outdoor air quality is a responsibility of local authorities. The Department does not currently monitor air quality in schools, nurseries or other educational institutions. Where there are concerns about air quality, a local authority must prepare an air quality action plan. The Department has recently published ‘Building Bulletin 101 Ventilation of School Buildings’, which provides guidance on achieving good indoor air quality in new and refurbished schools.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb grouped question UIN 256345 256347 question first answered 23/05/2019 13:59:45 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4658 label Biography information for Alex Sobel

1127599

registered interest
date	20/05/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Students: Suicide
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many students have died by suicide at each UK university in each of the last 10 years.
tabling member constituency	Bishop Auckland
tabling member printed	Helen Goodman
uin	256292
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2019 answer text <p>Mental health is a priority for this government, which is why we continue to work closely with Universities UK (UUK) on embedding the Step Change programme within the sector. Step Change calls on higher education (HE) leaders to adopt mental health as a strategic priority and adopt a whole-institution approach to mental health, embedding it across all policies, cultures, curricula and practice.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, the government actively backs the introduction of a sector-led University Mental Health Charter, launched in June 2018. This will drive up standards in promoting student and staff mental health and wellbeing. It will invite universities to meet high standards of practice, including in areas such as leadership, early intervention and data collection.</p><p> </p><p>HE institutions (HEI) have legal responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 to support students, including those with mental health conditions. It is for HEIs to determine what welfare and counselling services they need to provide to their students to offer that support.</p><p> </p><p>The information requested is not held centrally regarding student suicide. However, in June 2018, the Office for National Statistics released experimental statistics estimating suicide among higher education students in England and Wales which can be found following this link: <a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/articles/estimatingsuicideamonghighereducationstudentsenglandandwalesexperimentalstatistics/2018-06-25" target="_blank">https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/articles/estimatingsuicideamonghighereducationstudentsenglandandwalesexperimentalstatistics/2018-06-25</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The government has worked with UUK, the Office for Students, and other stakeholders to develop guidance on measures to help prevent suicide and deal sensitively with issues that may arise when tragedy does occur. This guidance was published in September 2018, ahead of the 2018/19 academic year.</p><p> </p><p>As independent and autonomous bodies, HEIs are responsible for decisions regarding required training for their staff and have a duty of care to their staff, like all employers, as well as to their students.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore grouped question UIN 256293 256294 question first answered 23/05/2019 10:14:17 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
tabling member	1484 label Biography information for Helen Goodman

1127601

registered interest
date	20/05/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Teachers: Training
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what training in health and wellbeing is required of university lecturers.
tabling member constituency	Bishop Auckland
tabling member printed	Helen Goodman
uin	256294
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2019 answer text <p>Mental health is a priority for this government, which is why we continue to work closely with Universities UK (UUK) on embedding the Step Change programme within the sector. Step Change calls on higher education (HE) leaders to adopt mental health as a strategic priority and adopt a whole-institution approach to mental health, embedding it across all policies, cultures, curricula and practice.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, the government actively backs the introduction of a sector-led University Mental Health Charter, launched in June 2018. This will drive up standards in promoting student and staff mental health and wellbeing. It will invite universities to meet high standards of practice, including in areas such as leadership, early intervention and data collection.</p><p> </p><p>HE institutions (HEI) have legal responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 to support students, including those with mental health conditions. It is for HEIs to determine what welfare and counselling services they need to provide to their students to offer that support.</p><p> </p><p>The information requested is not held centrally regarding student suicide. However, in June 2018, the Office for National Statistics released experimental statistics estimating suicide among higher education students in England and Wales which can be found following this link: <a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/articles/estimatingsuicideamonghighereducationstudentsenglandandwalesexperimentalstatistics/2018-06-25" target="_blank">https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/articles/estimatingsuicideamonghighereducationstudentsenglandandwalesexperimentalstatistics/2018-06-25</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The government has worked with UUK, the Office for Students, and other stakeholders to develop guidance on measures to help prevent suicide and deal sensitively with issues that may arise when tragedy does occur. This guidance was published in September 2018, ahead of the 2018/19 academic year.</p><p> </p><p>As independent and autonomous bodies, HEIs are responsible for decisions regarding required training for their staff and have a duty of care to their staff, like all employers, as well as to their students.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore grouped question UIN 256292 256293 question first answered 23/05/2019 10:14:17 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
tabling member	1484 label Biography information for Helen Goodman