Section 2 of the Technical and Further Education Act (2017), often referred to as the \u2018Baker Clause\u2019, requires all maintained schools and academies to make sure that there is an opportunity for a range of education and training providers to meet pupils in year 8 to year 13 for the purpose of informing them about approved technical education qualifications or apprenticeships.<\/p>
We introduced the \u2018Baker Clause\u2019 in January 2018 and published statutory guidance on careers guidance and on access for education and training providers which explains what schools must do to comply with this law. This is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/careers-guidance-provision-for-young-people-in-schools<\/a>.<\/p> In the event of suspected non-compliance with the duty and statutory guidance, our approach is for the parties involved to try to resolve the matter locally. This might include Regional Schools Commissioners or local authorities discussing and addressing any barriers to compliance with multi-academy trusts, individual academies or maintained schools.<\/p> If the department finds fault with a school\u2019s policies following a complaint, then remedial action could be taken. This could include an official or a minister from the department writing to the school and, ultimately, the possibility of the Secretary of State using intervention powers.<\/p> Regarding Ofsted, this is a matter for Her Majesty\u2019s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman. I have asked her to write to the right hon. Member and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.<\/p>"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what sanctions are available to (a) Ofsted, (b) Regional Schools Commissioners and (c) his Department to ensure that schools comply with section 2 of the Further Education and Technical Act 2017.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
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, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1038538", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1038538/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " \u200bThe department introduced the \u2018Baker Clause\u2019 in January 2018 so that young people can find out about the full range of opportunities available to them in technical education. The Department for Education does not centrally hold the number of schools that are compliant with the \u2018Baker Clause\u2019 but we did carry out a survey with the Association of Employment and Learning Providers in June 2018 to find out more about the early impact of the new law. Just over three quarters (76%) of the 75 providers surveyed stated that the duty is being partially complied with in their area. Just under a fifth (19%) said it was not being complied with at all. The remaining 5% said schools in their area are fully compliant. A more recent study by the Institute for Public Policy Research, published on 9 January, found that 70% of providers say that it is difficult to access schools in their area and 31% say that the situation has improved in the last year.<\/p> I hosted a roundtable with schools and providers in November 2018 and officials continue to discuss with a range of education and careers representatives how to improve compliance with the Baker Clause.<\/p> \u200bOfsted looks at the implementation of the Baker Clause on school inspections. Ofsted\u2019s current school inspection handbook (available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/730127/School_inspection_handbook_section_5_270718.pdf<\/a>.) sets out that inspectors will take into account careers guidance provided by secondary schools when making their judgement on the personal development, behaviour and welfare of pupils. Inspectors look at how well schools provide impartial careers guidance to help and prepare pupils make informed choices about the next stage of their education, employment, self-employment or training.<\/p>"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the number of schools that are compliant with section 2 of the Technical and Further Education Act 2017 that requires schools to ensure a range of FE providers have access to pupils from year 8 to year 13 to provide information on technical education and apprenticeships.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
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, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1038539", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1038539/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " \u200bThe department introduced the \u2018Baker Clause\u2019 in January 2018 so that young people can find out about the full range of opportunities available to them in technical education. The Department for Education does not centrally hold the number of schools that are compliant with the \u2018Baker Clause\u2019 but we did carry out a survey with the Association of Employment and Learning Providers in June 2018 to find out more about the early impact of the new law. Just over three quarters (76%) of the 75 providers surveyed stated that the duty is being partially complied with in their area. Just under a fifth (19%) said it was not being complied with at all. The remaining 5% said schools in their area are fully compliant. A more recent study by the Institute for Public Policy Research, published on 9 January, found that 70% of providers say that it is difficult to access schools in their area and 31% say that the situation has improved in the last year.<\/p> I hosted a roundtable with schools and providers in November 2018 and officials continue to discuss with a range of education and careers representatives how to improve compliance with the Baker Clause.<\/p>