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1439338

registered interest
date	09/03/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Primary Education: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, in the context of the impact of the covid-19 outbreak on primary education, whether his Department has made an assessment of the appropriateness of the (a) phonics screening check in year 1, (b) autumn term phonics screening check in year 2, (c) key stage 1 SATs in year 2, (d) multiplication tables check in year 4 and (e) key stage 2 SATs in year 6 as a form of assessment.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
uin	137240
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/03/2022 answer text <p>The department is taking forward a full programme of primary assessments to take place in the 2021/22 academic year. The assessments will help parents, schools, and the department to understand more clearly the impact of the pandemic on pupils, and how this varies between particular groups of pupils (for example, disadvantaged pupils), schools, and local authority areas.</p><p>At a local level, the data will provide vital information to parents about their child’s attainment, support transition to secondary schools, and identify where additional support is best targeted to individuals. At a national level, the data will help inform policy decisions about support for schools, enable analysis to underpin education recovery initiatives and understand their effectiveness, and to track system progress as we emerge from the pandemic.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 17/03/2022 14:08:29 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

1341310

registered interest
date	28/06/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Primary Education: Coronavirus
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 end the requirement for primary school children to self-isolate under covid-19 restrictions.
tabling member constituency	Rushcliffe
tabling member printed	Ruth Edwards
uin	23374
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2021 answer text <p>The Department’s goal is to support pupils and students to attend face to face education, and to reverse the long-term impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on their education, wellbeing and wider development. That is why education has been prioritised as the Government works through the stages of the roadmap to relaxing restrictions: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-spring-2021/covid-19-response-spring-2021#roadmap" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-spring-2021/covid-19-response-spring-2021#roadmap</a>.</p><p>The Department will be removing the need to keep children and young people in consistent groups (‘bubbles’) in schools and colleges, as well as the need to reduce mixing in nurseries, from Step 4 of the roadmap. The updated guidance can be found here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/999602/Schools_guidance_Step_4_update.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/999602/Schools_guidance_Step_4_update.pdf</a>.</p><p>Unless they test positive, children and those who are fully 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>As the COVID-19 outbreak progresses, it is important that the Department is able to respond to the evolving public health situation. Depending on COVID-19 measures in place at the time, and subject to Step 4 of the road map commencing, there may be a need for regional or local safety measures to help limit the spread of the virus that could impact education and childcare in the coming months.</p><p>Given the impact that restrictions on education can have on children and young people, any measures in nurseries, schools, colleges and universities should only ever be considered as a last resort, kept to the minimum number of groups possible, and for the shortest amount of time possible. Any restrictions on attendance should only ever be considered as a last resort and should involve a ministerial decision.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 07/07/2021 15:50:08 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4808 label Biography information for Ruth Edwards

1301286

registered interest
date	10/03/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Primary Education: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance has been provided to Primary Schools on the wearing of facemasks by teaching staff within a classroom setting.
tabling member constituency	Hemsworth
tabling member printed	Jon Trickett
uin	166321
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2021 answer text <p>As new evidence or data emerges, the Government updates its advice accordingly to ensure that all our schools and colleges have the right safety measures in place.</p><p>The Department recently published updated guidance for schools to support the return to full attendance from 8 March 2021, which includes updated advice on face coverings. The guidance can be found at the following link: <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>As our updated guidance outlines, in primary schools, face coverings should be worn by staff and adult visitors in situations where social distancing between adults is not possible, for example, when moving around in corridors and communal areas. Children in primary school do not need to wear a face covering.</p><p>Some individuals are exempt from wearing face coverings. This applies to those who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability, or if you are speaking to or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expression to communicate. The same exemptions should be applied in schools, and we would expect teachers and other staff to be sensitive to those needs.</p><p>We continue to work closely with Public Health England and the Department of Health and Social Care and stakeholders across the sector to ensure that our policy is based on the latest scientific and medical advice.</p><p>These measures will be in place until Easter. We will keep this under review and update guidance at that point.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 18/03/2021 16:03:02 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	410 label Biography information for Jon Trickett

1283491

registered interest
date	03/02/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Primary Education: Coronavirus
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 the potential merits of allowing each primary school year group to return to school in-person on a part-time, rota basis when the January 2021 covid-19 lockdown measures are eased.
tabling member constituency	Ealing Central and Acton
tabling member printed	Dr Rupa Huq
uin	148854
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/02/2021 answer text <p>The Department is committed to getting all pupils and students back into schools and colleges full time, as soon as the public health picture allows, in terms of the spread of the virus in communities and the pressures on the NHS. In doing so, the Department will be guided by scientific and medical experts. Data and evidence are considered regularly, including that from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, the Joint Biosecurity Centre, Public Health England, and the Chief Medical Officers.</p><p>In the week commencing 22 February 2021, the Government will publish a plan for taking the country out of lockdown. Our aim will be to set out a gradual approach towards easing the restrictions in a sustainable way, guided by the principles we have observed throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, beginning with the most important principle of all: that reopening schools must be our national priority. We have committed to providing schools, parents and young people with a minimum of two weeks’ notice for this return to on-site provision. Additional pupils and students will return to on-site education on 8 March 2021 at the earliest.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 08/02/2021 16:23:19 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4511 label Biography information for Dr Rupa Huq

1275268

registered interest
date	11/01/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Primary Education: Coronavirus
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 primary school staff are able to access lateral flow testing.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
uin	135800
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2021 answer text <p>Rapid, regular testing for people without symptoms of COVID-19 will be made available to primary staff by the end of January with kits being delivered from 18 January. All primary school staff will be offered home test kits for routine testing. These kits contain Lateral Flow Device tests which enable self-swabbing. They are designed for use at home so staff can complete the test before coming in to work.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 19/01/2021 17:36:28 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

1274851

registered interest
date	08/01/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Primary Education: Coronavirus
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 ensure that primary schools, identified as a lower transmission risk, can reopen to all children as soon as possible.
tabling member constituency	Beaconsfield
tabling member printed	Joy Morrissey
uin	134585
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/01/2021 answer text <p>Head teachers, teachers, and staff of schools, nurseries and colleges have been doing an extraordinary job to remain open, keep schools safe, and provide education for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. On 7 January, the Department published further guidance which sets out what schools will need to do during this new period of national lockdown. The guidance is available here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/950510/School_national_restrictions_guidance.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/950510/School_national_restrictions_guidance.pdf</a>.</p><p>Face-to-face education is best for children’s mental health and for their educational achievement. The Department has resisted restrictions on attendance at schools since the first lockdown but, in the face of the rapidly rising numbers of COVID-19 cases across the country and intense pressure on the NHS, we need to reduce all our social contacts wherever possible. Limiting attendance during the national lockdown will support the reduction of the overall number of social contacts in our communities.</p><p>During the period of national lockdown, schools, colleges and wraparound childcare and other out-of-school activities for children should allow only vulnerable children and young people and the children of critical workers to attend. All other pupils and students should not attend and should learn remotely.</p><p>The Department will continue to review the restrictions on schools and will ensure that children and young people return to face-to-face education as soon as possible.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 18/01/2021 16:12:50 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4759 label Biography information for Joy Morrissey

1273772

registered interest
date	06/01/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Primary Education: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will publish the criteria used to determine which areas with primary schools were made subject to the contingency framework on Wednesday 30 December 2020.
tabling member constituency	Greenwich and Woolwich
tabling member printed	Matthew Pennycook
uin	134026
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/01/2021 answer text <p>In considering which areas may be suitable for primary restrictions under our contingency framework, the Department worked closely with Public Health England, the Joint Biosecurity Centre, NHS Test &amp; Trace and the Department for Health and Social Care using the most recent data available. We used a balanced approach, rather than simple threshold cut offs, and took all factors into account, but with particular focus on: very high rates of infection, particularly high increases in seven-day case rates, and intelligence about pressure on the NHS.</p><p>These were not easy decisions to make, but they were made according to the best clinical advice and the key indicators set out within the COVID-19 Winter Plan. More information on the COVID-19 Winter Plan can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-winter-plan" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-winter-plan</a>.</p><p>The national lockdown announced on 4 January 2021 replaced the restrictions that had been active in some primary schools under the contingency framework. We will be continually reviewing the restrictions on schools, colleges and universities to ensure that pupils and students can return to face to face education when the pressures are easing on the NHS.</p><p>These decisions do not suggest that schools and colleges are no longer safe places. Instead, limiting attendance is about reducing the number of contacts that all of us have with people in other households.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 11/01/2021 16:13:54 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4520 label Biography information for Matthew Pennycook

1273638

registered interest
date	05/01/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Primary Education: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what criteria they used to determine the London boroughs in which primary schools would not open at the scheduled beginning of term in January.
tabling member printed	Lord Lipsey
uin	HL11752
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2021 answer text <p>On 29 December, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education announced that primary schools in 50 local authorities across London and the South East would remain closed to all but children of critical workers and vulnerable children for the first two weeks of term. 23 of London’s 33 boroughs were included in this initial decision. On 1 January, in light of the rapidly changing situation, we extended these restrictions to cover all 33 London Boroughs.</p><p>In considering which areas may be suitable for primary restrictions under our contingency framework, the department worked closely with Public Health England, the Joint Biosecurity Centre, NHS Test &amp; Trace and the Department for Health and Social Care using the most recent data available. We used a balanced approach rather than simple threshold cut-offs and took all factors into account, but with particular focus on: very high rates of infection; particularly high increases in seven-day case rates; and intelligence about pressure on the NHS.</p><p>These were not easy decisions to make, but they were made according to the best clinical advice and the criteria set out in the COVID-19 Winter Plan, which are:</p><p>- Case detection rates in all age groups;</p><p>- Case detection rates in all the over 60s;</p><p>- The rate at which cases are rising or falling;</p><p>- Positivity rate; and</p><p>- Pressure on the NHS.</p><p>The national lockdown announced on 4 January replaced the restrictions that had been active in some primary schools under the contingency framework. We will be continually reviewing the restrictions on schools, colleges and universities to ensure that children can return to school when the pressures are easing on the NHS.</p><p>These decisions do not suggest that schools and colleges are no longer safe places. Instead, limiting attendance is about reducing the number of contacts that all of us have with people in other households.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge question first answered 19/01/2021 15:26:28 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
tabling member	2492 label Biography information for Lord Lipsey

1238355

registered interest
date	28/09/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Primary Education: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance he is providing to primary schools on enabling prospective parents to visit those schools in advance of school admissions deadlines during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	96141
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/10/2020 answer text <p>Local authorities are required, through the School Admissions Code and the School Information (England) Regulations 2008, to provide parents with information about all schools in their area ahead of application deadlines, through publishing a composite prospectus.</p><p>Traditionally, schools have also held open events and arranged visits for prospective parents in the autumn term. This year, as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, schools have also had to consider how to minimise the risk of transmission of the virus.</p><p>On 2 July, we published guidance to help schools prepare for all pupils to return to school full time from the beginning of the autumn term. This guidance can be viewed at: <br><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools</a>.</p><p>This sets out a framework for school leaders to put in place a range of proportionate protective measures for children, staff and visitors. These include minimising contacts between groups and maintaining safe distance where possible; encouraging regular handwashing; and enhanced cleaning. As a result, face to face open events and visits are unlikely to be possible and schools are considering alternatives.</p><p>The provision of information to parents remains an important part of enabling them to make an informed choice about the schools they wish their children to attend.</p><p>The Department is aware that many schools have worked creatively to do this, but if a school does decide to hold a face to face event it is essential that a risk assessment is carried out and appropriate control measures are put in place, in line with the guidance.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 06/10/2020 16:01:19 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1216281

registered interest
date	22/06/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Primary Education: Coronavirus
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 primacy school pupils can take part in physical education safely when they return to school as covid-19 restrictions are eased.
tabling member constituency	Broxtowe
tabling member printed	Darren Henry
uin	62658
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/07/2020 answer text <p>The Department is working to ensure that schools are fully supported as pupils return now and are able to give pupils opportunities to be physically active during the school day. Schools are free to organise and deliver a PE curriculum that suits the needs of all their pupils whilst following COVID-19 government guidelines. The latest guidance for schools can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-schools-and-other-educational-settings" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-schools-and-other-educational-settings</a>. The Government’s intention is for all children to return to school from September and will publish guidance soon. The Department is considering what further advice to provide on PE and school sport in that guidance.</p><p> </p><p>The Department has worked closely with nurseries, schools, physical activity experts and sport providers so that pupils who have not yet been able to return to school have advice and resources to participate in regular exercise. The Department has published online educational resources approved by subject experts for schools and parents, to help children to learn at home; these resources include those for PE.</p><p> </p><p>The Government remains committed to supporting schools to make good use of their sports facilities and to promote physical literacy and competitive sport. We plan to update the School Sport Activity Action Plan with longer-term proposals to support schools and providers to work together to support children’s activity levels to continue to rise after they return to school.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 13/07/2020 16:52:42 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4794 label Biography information for Darren Henry