The department has made no specific assessment on this matter as it is up to schools themselves to decide how to organise curricular and non-curricular activities.<\/p>
All schools have to provide a broad and balanced curriculum. Ofsted is currently consulting on proposals for a new inspection framework which has a strong emphasis on curriculm, alongside a focus on pupils\u2019 personal development and extra-curricular opportunities.<\/p>
The attached table, taken from the School workforce in England 2017 publication, indicates that in state funded secondary schools the proportion of all teaching time spent on core subjects has increased.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4689", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Agnew of Oulton"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Agnew of Oulton"} , "attachment" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1045462/answer/attachment/1", "fileName" : {"_value" : "Hl12998_School_Workforce_Census_2017_Table_11.xls"} , "title" : "HL12998_Head_count_of_qualified_teachers_table"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-02-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-04T17:11:48.583Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-01-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Schools: Curriculum"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of non-curriculum activities on the teaching of the core curriculum in state schools in England.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/950", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} ], "uin" : "HL12998"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/788934", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/788934/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Schools are bound by the Equality Act 2010, including the Public Sector Equality Duty 2011, to ensure that teaching is accessible to all children and young people, including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.<\/p>
<\/p>
All schools should make provision for high quality, age appropriate personal, social, economic and health education, which includes Relationships and Sex Education (RSE). When teaching RSE, all secondary schools, including academies through their funding agreement, must have regard to the Sex and Relationship Education guidance attached.<\/p>
<\/p>
The government is making the teaching of Relationships Education in primary schools and RSE in secondary schools mandatory through regulations. The department has begun a process of engagement and will be working with teachers, parents, safeguarding experts and others to develop age-appropriate subject content for all key stages. This process will support the development of the regulations and guidance, both of which are subject to public consultation next year.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4689", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Agnew of Oulton"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Agnew of Oulton"} , "attachment" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/788934/answer/attachment/1", "fileName" : {"_value" : "HL3243 - SRE attachment.docx"} , "title" : "Sex and Relationship Education Guidance "} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-11-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-11-28T17:36:42.787Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-11-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the Prime Minister\u2019s comments at the PinkNews Awards on 18 October, what steps they are taking to ensure that \u201cLGBT issues are taught well\u201d in English schools; and at what age groups such lessons will be aimed.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/950", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} ], "uin" : "HL3243"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/747451", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/747451/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Schools and local authorities have had the power to issue penalty notices since 2004.<\/p>
Every local authority must draw up a Code of Conduct for issuing penalty notices, in consultation with governing bodies and head teachers in their area. The Code will set out the occasions when it will be appropriate to issue a penalty notice. This can for example include circumstances where a pupil is persistently late to school without a valid reason. A penalty notice must be issued in accordance with that Code.<\/p>
There is no formal appeals process where a parent is issued with a penalty notice and they deem this to be incorrect; however, parents can discuss their situation with the local authority and ask for the penalty notice to be withdrawn. If the penalty notice has not been paid in full by end of the 28 day period allowed for payment and if the local authority has not commenced prosecution of the parent and is not contemplating doing so, it must withdraw the penalty notice.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4270", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Nash"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Nash"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-07-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-07-12T11:46:30.187Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "Her Majesty's Government whether schools or local authorities have the legal power to fine parents of children who are late for school and if so, whether there is the right of appeal through the courts.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/950", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} ], "uin" : "HL415"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/649099", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/649099/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
All schools are required to teach about political issues in a balanced way. Sections 406 and 407 of the Education Act 1996 require maintained schools to prevent political indoctrination and ensure the balanced treatment of political issues. Academies have parallel requirements through their funding agreements, and independent schools have parallel requirements through the independent school standards.<\/p>
<\/p>
As part of Ofsted school inspections, inspectors will consider the breadth and balance of a school\u2019s curriculum, the quality of teaching and how the school promotes pupils\u2019 acceptance and engagement with the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance for those with different beliefs. If inspectors identify that provision for pupils is unbalanced, including in relation to political matters, this will be reflected in the outcome of the inspection.<\/p>
<\/p>
If anyone has a concern that a schools is failing in a duty they can take this up through the school\u2019s complaints procedure and if they are not satisfied, escalate the complaint to the Secretary of State who has powers to intervene if schools are failing to comply with legal requirements.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4270", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Nash"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Nash"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-12-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-12-12T16:29:58.42Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-11-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "European Union: Education"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Nash on 24 November (HL3233) concerning EU information to schools and other educational establishments, what action they plan to take to monitor and enforce the requirement for balanced treatment in educational establishments of political issues, including the UK's membership of the EU.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/950", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} ], "uin" : "HL3722"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/637308", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/637308/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Department for Education does not send political material to schools: it is up to schools to decide what teaching material to use, tailored to their pupils\u2019 needs. Schools are required by the Education Act 1996 to ensure the balanced treatment of political issues, including the UK\u2019s membership of the European Union.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4270", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Nash"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Nash"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-11-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-11-24T12:09:23.42Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-11-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Brexit: Education"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Nash on 9 November (HL2741), whether they intend to provide schools and other educational establishments with information about the benefits of Brexit.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/950", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} ], "uin" : "HL3233"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/621935", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/621935/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Sections 406 and 407 of the Education Act 1996 require schools to prevent political indoctrination and ensure the balanced treatment of political issues, including the UK\u2019s membership of the European Union. Schools are aware of these requirements, and it is up to schools to understand their pupils\u2019 needs and tailor their teaching accordingly.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4270", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Nash"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Nash"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-11-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-11-09T17:52:54.467Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-10-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "European Union: Education"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government, following the vote to leave the EU, what action they are taking to ensure that for so long as EU information continues to be provided to schools and other educational establishments it is properly balanced in accordance with statutory requirements.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/950", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} ], "uin" : "HL2741"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/619482", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/619482/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Sections 406 and 407 of the Education Act 1996 require schools to prevent political indoctrination and ensure the balanced treatment of political issues, including the UK\u2019s membership of the European Union. Schools are aware of these requirements, and it is up to schools to understand their pupils\u2019 needs and tailor their teaching accordingly.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4270", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Nash"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Nash"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-11-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-11-03T15:53:29.697Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "European Union: Education"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government whether they intend to examine material provided by the EU to UK schools and other educational establishments to ensure that it is appropriate in the light of Brexit.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/950", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} ], "uin" : "HL2588"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/483334", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/483334/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "