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1235781

registered interest
date	18/09/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Universities: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make it his policy to mandate universities to publish publicly their covid-19 risk assessments.
tabling member constituency	Cambridge
tabling member printed	Daniel Zeichner
uin	91767
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/09/2020 answer text <p>Higher education (HE) providers have a legal responsibility to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of their employees, students and other people on site.</p><p>As part of the process of opening buildings and campuses to staff and students, HE providers should produce risk assessments for both working and communal environments. These will vary significantly based on the needs and circumstances of individual providers. Risk assessments will inform the risk mitigations to ensure all areas of the institution are COVID-19 secure.</p><p>HE providers are autonomous institutions and it is not for the government to mandate publication of these risk assessments. However, on 10 September, the department published updated guidance for providers on reopening buildings and campuses which states that providers should share their risk assessments with staff and staff unions. The guidance is available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-reopening-buildings-and-campuses/higher-education-reopening-buildings-and-campuses#risk-assessments" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-reopening-buildings-and-campuses/higher-education-reopening-buildings-and-campuses#risk-assessments</a>.</p> answering member constituency Chippenham answering member printed Michelle Donelan question first answered 25/09/2020 13:35:29 answering member 4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan
tabling member	4382 label Biography information for Daniel Zeichner

1235798

registered interest
date	18/09/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Free School Meals
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children in England are (a) eligible and (b) registered for free school meals.
tabling member constituency	South Shields
tabling member printed	Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck
uin	91762
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/09/2020 answer text <p>As of the schools January 2020 census, the number of children known to be eligible for <br> benefits-related free school meals in England was 1,440,778. Additionally, at the same census point, a further 1.4 million received a free meal under the Universal Infant Free School Meal policy. More information is available here:<br> <a href="https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics" target="_blank">https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics</a>.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 23/09/2020 11:44:07 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	4277 label Biography information for Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck

1235799

registered interest
date	18/09/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Holiday Activities and Food Programme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he plans to implement a national holiday activities and food programme during the 2021 school summer holidays.
tabling member constituency	South Shields
tabling member printed	Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck
uin	91763
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/09/2020 answer text <p>This summer, our £9 million Holiday Activities and Food Programme worked across 17 local authority areas, providing thousands of children with access to healthy meals and enriching activities, building on the success of the programme in 2018 and 2019.</p><p>Future policy and spending decisions will be set following completion of the current Spending Review.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 23/09/2020 11:56:08 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	4277 label Biography information for Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck

1235800

registered interest
date	18/09/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Breakfast Clubs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans the Government has to continue the National School Breakfast programme beyond March 2021.
tabling member constituency	South Shields
tabling member printed	Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck
uin	91764
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/09/2020 answer text <p>The department is investing up to £35 million into the National School Breakfast Programme. This includes our extension of the programme by a further year until March 2021, with up to £11.8 million being invested during this current financial year. Overall, this money will kick-start or improve breakfast clubs in up to 2,450 schools in disadvantaged areas, making them sustainable in the long run. Any further investment in school breakfast clubs beyond March 2021 is subject to the upcoming Spending Review.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 23/09/2020 13:12:57 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	4277 label Biography information for Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck

1235808

registered interest
date	18/09/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Teachers: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether (a) primary school teachers and (b) other teaching staff who have been in contact with a school bubble in which there has been a confirmed case of covid-19 and who have been asked to self-isolate but are asymptomatic are eligible for a covid-19 test.
tabling member constituency	Ealing North
tabling member printed	James Murray
uin	91811
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/09/2020 answer text <p>Unless an individual has been specifically asked to do so by a clinician, it is vital that only those who have developed symptoms of COVID-19 get tested. The NHS Test and Trace system must stay focused on testing those with symptoms of COVID-19. The test is most effective for those who are experiencing symptoms.</p><p>Anyone who is self isolating as a result of being a close contact of a confirmed case but does not have symptoms should not request a test. This includes if that case was identified in school or college.</p><p>The latest clinical advice is that testing of individuals without symptoms should only be used where clinically appropriate, predominantly for outbreak investigation and infection control. This risk based approach ensures that testing is targeted where it is most effective.</p><p>All children, young people and staff have access to a test if they display symptoms of COVID-19 and should get tested in this scenario.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 23/09/2020 16:26:08 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4797 label Biography information for James Murray

1236324

registered interest
date	18/09/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Secondary Education: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many secondary schools have dropped the teaching of one or more GCSE subjects in response to the situation caused by the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Gareth Thomas
uin	91815
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/09/2020 answer text <p>The majority of Key Stage 4 pupils are expected to continue to study all of their examination subjects. This is more likely to secure their preferred route to further study. Schools and academy trusts should not have a blanket policy of reducing the number of GCSEs being studied.</p><p>In exceptional circumstances, it may be in the best interest of a Year 11 pupil to discontinue an examined subject because the school judges that, for example, they would achieve significantly better in their remaining subjects as a result, especially in GCSE English and mathematics. School leaders are expected to make such decisions in discussion with pupils and parents, using the existing discretion that schools already apply on these matters.</p><p>During the autumn term, Ofsted inspectors will visit a sample of schools to have collaborative discussions with them, taking into account the curriculum expectation on the breadth of GCSE study.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 28/09/2020 16:16:34 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

1236474

registered interest
date	18/09/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Training: 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 protect learners against fraudulent remote-learning training providers during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	91826
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/09/2020 answer text <p>The Department is committed to the continuation of high-quality education for all pupils during this difficult time. Where a pupil is unable to attend school because they are complying with clinical and/or public health advice, we expect schools to be able to immediately offer them access to remote education. We have asked schools to monitor engagement with this activity, which should align as closely as possible with in-school provision.</p><p>The Department has provided a range of resources to support schools in delivering remote education. This includes our work with sector-led initiatives such as Oak National Academy. The Department has made £4.84 million available for Oak National Academy both for the summer term of the academic year 2019-20, and then for the 2020-21 academic year to provide video lessons for reception up to year 11. This includes specialist content for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. Oak National Academy will remain a free optional resource for 2020-21.</p><p>COVID-19 guidance for schools is clear that it is crucial for remote education provision to be set up so that it is safe for pupils. Schools have been encouraged to share online safety information and best practice with parents and carers. The Government has published support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online which can be accessed here:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-keeping-children-safe-online" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-keeping-children-safe-online</a>.</p><p>Initial Teacher Training (ITT) is controlled and regulated by the Department. In order to undertake training leading to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in England, a person must train at an accredited ITT provider in England. ITT providers can only be accredited by the Secretary of State consistent with the relevant Regulation.</p><p>The process by which a person may access and apply for a teacher training place at an accredited provider is clearly set out on the Department’s dedicated ‘Get Into Teaching’ web pages at:</p><p><a href="https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/</a>.</p><p>A person will only be able to access tuition fees for a place at a provider that is accredited by the Department and is designated for student support. A person will only be able to access any bursary payments for which they might be eligible if they are on a course leading to QTS at an accredited ITT provider in England.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 28/09/2020 16:34:29 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1236476

registered interest
date	18/09/2020
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, how many secondary schools have dropped teaching of one or more foreign languages at GCSE in response to the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Gareth Thomas
uin	91816
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/09/2020 answer text <p>The guidance for the full opening of schools makes clear that, for pupils in Key Stage 3, the curriculum should remain broad so that the majority of pupils are taught a full range of subjects over the year, including languages. In Key Stage 4 and 5, the majority of GCSE, AS and A level students are expected to continue to study their examination subjects, including those who are due to take examinations in languages, to support them towards their preferred route to further study.</p><p>In exceptional circumstances, schools may consider it appropriate to suspend some subjects for some pupils to support catch up. Schools should be able to show that this is in the best the interests of these pupils and this should be subject to discussion with pupils and parents during the autumn term.</p><p>Since the introduction of the English Baccalaureate performance measure, the proportion of GCSE entries from pupils in state-funded schools in a modern foreign language (MFL) has increased from 40% in 2010 to 47% in 2019. The Department is due to publish GCSE entry data for 2020 later this year.</p><p>The Government has every confidence that GCSE entry in MFL will continue to improve over the coming years. No specific discussions have taken place between Ministers with schools or university leaders on the take up of GCSEs in a MFL since the COVID-19 outbreak.</p><p>The Department are continuing to invest in a range of programmes to further increase uptake of languages at GCSE. Our £2.41 million MFL Pedagogy Pilot commenced in December 2018 and is designed to improve uptake and attainment in languages at Key Stages 3 and 4. In May 2020, the programme was extended to December 2021, receiving an additional £1.45 million funding.</p><p>A review into the subject content for GCSEs in MFLs was announced on 5 November 2019. The review will seek to align the subject content with the recommendations of the 2016 MFL Pedagogy Review, making languages more accessible at GCSE and encouraging more students to study a foreign language at A level and undergraduate level.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb grouped question UIN 91817 91818 question first answered 28/09/2020 16:21:05 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

1236477

registered interest
date	18/09/2020
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 discussions he has had with (a) school and (b) university leaders on the effects of reduced numbers of students being offered a GCSE in a modern foreign language as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Gareth Thomas
uin	91817
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/09/2020 answer text <p>The guidance for the full opening of schools makes clear that, for pupils in Key Stage 3, the curriculum should remain broad so that the majority of pupils are taught a full range of subjects over the year, including languages. In Key Stage 4 and 5, the majority of GCSE, AS and A level students are expected to continue to study their examination subjects, including those who are due to take examinations in languages, to support them towards their preferred route to further study.</p><p>In exceptional circumstances, schools may consider it appropriate to suspend some subjects for some pupils to support catch up. Schools should be able to show that this is in the best the interests of these pupils and this should be subject to discussion with pupils and parents during the autumn term.</p><p>Since the introduction of the English Baccalaureate performance measure, the proportion of GCSE entries from pupils in state-funded schools in a modern foreign language (MFL) has increased from 40% in 2010 to 47% in 2019. The Department is due to publish GCSE entry data for 2020 later this year.</p><p>The Government has every confidence that GCSE entry in MFL will continue to improve over the coming years. No specific discussions have taken place between Ministers with schools or university leaders on the take up of GCSEs in a MFL since the COVID-19 outbreak.</p><p>The Department are continuing to invest in a range of programmes to further increase uptake of languages at GCSE. Our £2.41 million MFL Pedagogy Pilot commenced in December 2018 and is designed to improve uptake and attainment in languages at Key Stages 3 and 4. In May 2020, the programme was extended to December 2021, receiving an additional £1.45 million funding.</p><p>A review into the subject content for GCSEs in MFLs was announced on 5 November 2019. The review will seek to align the subject content with the recommendations of the 2016 MFL Pedagogy Review, making languages more accessible at GCSE and encouraging more students to study a foreign language at A level and undergraduate level.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb grouped question UIN 91816 91818 question first answered 28/09/2020 16:21:05 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

1236478

registered interest
date	18/09/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Languages: Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to increase the number of students who study a modern foreign language to (a) GCSE, (b) A-Level, and (c) undergraduate degree level.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Gareth Thomas
uin	91818
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/09/2020 answer text <p>The guidance for the full opening of schools makes clear that, for pupils in Key Stage 3, the curriculum should remain broad so that the majority of pupils are taught a full range of subjects over the year, including languages. In Key Stage 4 and 5, the majority of GCSE, AS and A level students are expected to continue to study their examination subjects, including those who are due to take examinations in languages, to support them towards their preferred route to further study.</p><p>In exceptional circumstances, schools may consider it appropriate to suspend some subjects for some pupils to support catch up. Schools should be able to show that this is in the best the interests of these pupils and this should be subject to discussion with pupils and parents during the autumn term.</p><p>Since the introduction of the English Baccalaureate performance measure, the proportion of GCSE entries from pupils in state-funded schools in a modern foreign language (MFL) has increased from 40% in 2010 to 47% in 2019. The Department is due to publish GCSE entry data for 2020 later this year.</p><p>The Government has every confidence that GCSE entry in MFL will continue to improve over the coming years. No specific discussions have taken place between Ministers with schools or university leaders on the take up of GCSEs in a MFL since the COVID-19 outbreak.</p><p>The Department are continuing to invest in a range of programmes to further increase uptake of languages at GCSE. Our £2.41 million MFL Pedagogy Pilot commenced in December 2018 and is designed to improve uptake and attainment in languages at Key Stages 3 and 4. In May 2020, the programme was extended to December 2021, receiving an additional £1.45 million funding.</p><p>A review into the subject content for GCSEs in MFLs was announced on 5 November 2019. The review will seek to align the subject content with the recommendations of the 2016 MFL Pedagogy Review, making languages more accessible at GCSE and encouraging more students to study a foreign language at A level and undergraduate level.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb grouped question UIN 91816 91817 question first answered 28/09/2020 16:21:05 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas