The Department for Education believes that individual schools are best placed to determine whether and how to group children by academic ability. There are many different models of pupil grouping, and schools themselves are best able to respond to their individual circumstances to meet the needs and capabilities of their pupils.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1473", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr David Laws"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Yeovil"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr David Laws"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-04T14:34:32.233333Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Secondary Education: Teaching Methods"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that children at secondary school are being efficiently grouped according to their academic ability.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1447", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Rosindell"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Romford"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Andrew Rosindell"} ], "uin" : "212550"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101825", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101825/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
As a Master\u2019s-level qualification, all SENCO-accredited courses are either delivered by or ratified by Higher Education establishments. In 2013-2014, SENCO-accredited courses are being run by 21 universities and 3 training providers, working in partnership with universities.<\/p>
<\/p>
Since the inception of the training, 10,119 SENCOs have been funded to take the award, which equates to approximately 40% of the schools in the country.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1473", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr David Laws"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Yeovil"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr David Laws"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-04T14:36:44.1503996Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Special Educational Needs"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many SENCO-accredited courses are being run in (a) colleges and (b) universities in 2013-14.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/298", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve McCabe"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birmingham, Selly Oak"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Steve McCabe"} ], "uin" : "212540"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101829", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101829/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
No child should be discouraged from applying to or attending a state-funded school due to the costs of uniform or school activities. The Department for Education has published clear guidance to schools on school uniform which advises schools to give high priority to ensuring the uniform is affordable for parents. We have also published guidance on charging for school activities which reminds schools of their statutory responsibilities regarding charging for school trips and other school activities.<\/p>
<\/p>
The school uniform guidance is available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-uniform<\/a><\/p> <\/p> The guidance on charging for school activities is available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/charging-for-school-activities<\/a><\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1473", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr David Laws"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Yeovil"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr David Laws"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-04T14:26:41.570615Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Schools: Fees and Charges"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department has taken to ensure that schools do not use charges for uniform, school trips and other activities as a means of selection.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4000", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ian Mearns"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Gateshead"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ian Mearns"}
], "uin" : "212670"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101830", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101830/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government is committed to ensuring that all children, regardless of background, benefit from an education which allows them to achieve their full potential.<\/p> <\/p> This is primarily being achieved by additional Government investment to ensure that poor children do not miss out on a good education. For example, through our pupil premium, worth £2.5 billion a year, we are helping schools to transform the way they educate disadvantaged children. We have invested £340 million to support cultural education and announced an additional £18 million funding boost for music education, giving thousands more disadvantaged pupils access to instruments. A recent Ofsted report showed that our policies are working, and the achievement gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers is closing.<\/p> <\/p> From 1 September the Government extended provision of free school meals to all children in reception, year 1, and year 2. As a result, 100,000 more poor children are receiving a hot, healthy and nutritious meal every day, saving low-income families around £400 per year per child.<\/p> <\/p> Together, these policies will help to achieve our goal of breaking the inter-generational cycle of poverty and closing the attainment gap for disadvantaged schoolchildren.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1473", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr David Laws"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Yeovil"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr David Laws"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-04T14:33:11.8873698Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children: Poverty"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Children's Commission on Poverty report, At What Cost? Exposing the impact of poverty on school life, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that poverty does not prevent children and young people taking full advantage of school life.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4000", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ian Mearns"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Gateshead"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ian Mearns"}
], "uin" : "212664"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101831", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101831/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Department for Education\u2019s school uniform guidance is clear that schools should not seek to profit from the sale of school uniform. Revisions made in September 2013 emphasise the importance of ensuring that uniform is widely available and affordable for parents. The guidance sets out that governing bodies should be able to demonstrate that they have obtained the best value for money from suppliers, and that any savings negotiated with suppliers should be passed on to parents wherever possible.<\/p> <\/p> The school uniform guidance is published online at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-uniform<\/a><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1473", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr David Laws"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Yeovil"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr David Laws"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-04T14:24:15.2541002Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Schools: Uniforms"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to prohibit schools from taking a commission on the sale of school uniform to parents.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4000", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ian Mearns"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Gateshead"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ian Mearns"}
], "uin" : "212672"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101545", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101545/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The development and use of digital media by local authorities is a matter for local decision by them.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1473", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr David Laws"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Yeovil"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr David Laws"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-03T16:08:33.6524971Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Digital Technology: Education"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to increase digital engagement by local education authorities.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/133", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr David Ruffley"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bury St Edmunds"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr David Ruffley"}
], "uin" : "212383"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101359", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101359/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The data requested is not held centrally.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1605", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Edward Timpson"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Crewe and Nantwich"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Edward Timpson"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-30T16:10:22.6565678Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children in Care"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many looked-after children in England also have a sibling in care; and how many looked-after children in England are (a) living with at least one of their siblings and (b) not living with any of their siblings.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/376", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alan Johnson"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Alan Johnson"}
], "uin" : "212283"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101361", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101361/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " It is the responsibility of each local authority to balance the supply and demand for primary and secondary school places in their area and secure a place for every child of statutory age who wants one.<\/p> <\/p> The Department for Education collects information from local authorities on the number of school places (school capacity) in state-funded primary and secondary schools, (except special schools) and local authorities\u2019 own pupil forecasts, as part of the annual School Capacity Collection. The most recent data available relates to the position at May 2013 and is published online at:<\/p>