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1715429

registered interest
date	01/05/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	T-levels
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what research they have undertaken into (1) reasons for the dropout rate for T Levels, (2) why only 8 per cent of students taking foundation level T Levels progress to full T levels, and (3) whether T Levels or BTECs provide a more appropriate preparation for employment in different skill areas.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
uin	HL4285
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2024 answer text <p>As relatively new qualifications, retention rates on T Levels may be expected to fluctuate. The department is keen to understand the reasons behind students dropping out of their T Level programme and have undertaken a range of research. This has included discussing the issue in routine conversations with further education (FE) providers and holding workshops with a variety of providers to explore further the reasons for students dropping out of specific T Levels. The department has also reviewed data from the Individualised Learner Record and school census to identify patterns in students dropping out of T Levels, and examined responses to the Technical Education Learner Survey (2021 and 2022) to understand student motivations for dropping out. Links to these surveys can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/technical-education-learner-survey" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/technical-education-learner-survey</a>, and <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/technical-education-learner-survey-2022" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/technical-education-learner-survey-2022</a>. The department has also spoken to Awarding Organisations to discuss student retention on T Levels.</p><p> </p><p>The T Level Foundation Year is the first step on a 3-year path to achieving a T Level, for those who need it. The programme is supporting good progression to level 3 destinations in its first two years, compared with other level 2 courses. Reasons why more students are not progressing onto T Levels may include not meeting providers’ entry criteria and the early cohorts being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The T Level Foundation Year is still early in its rollout and the department will monitor outcomes as the programme continues to roll out and funding is removed from level 3 qualifications that overlap with T Levels. Research by the National Foundation for Education Research and the Technical Education Learner Surveys provide information on the early cohorts. This research can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/research-on-early-delivery-of-the-t-level-transition-programme" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/research-on-early-delivery-of-the-t-level-transition-programme</a>. The department is undertaking further research with providers to identify good practice and success factors in supporting progression to T Levels.</p><p> </p><p>Lord Sainsbury’s report on technical education defined the skills areas suitable for T Levels, drawing on analysis of relevant apprenticeship standards, existing taught qualifications, and labour market information. All T Levels are based on the same employer-led occupational standards as apprenticeships, and these standards were led by, and updated with, employers. That means that employers and young people can be confident in these new qualifications. This is not consistently the case with the large qualifications they are replacing, which often do not support a young person to enter the sector they thought the qualification was preparing them for. For example, in the latest data for health and social care qualifications only 9% of those who complete worked in ‘Health and social care’ the following year. This data can be found here: <a href="https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/detailed-destinations-of-16-to-18-year-olds-in-further-education" target="_blank">https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/detailed-destinations-of-16-to-18-year-olds-in-further-education</a>. T Levels will not be the only technical qualification available in the future landscape. Where there are occupational standards at level 3, but no T Level, the department is allowing technical qualifications to be developed, which will allow students to continue to study areas currently covered by applied general qualifications such as travel consultant, highways electrician, and personal trainer, to list a few. The key distinction here is that they will be based on employer led occupational standards, unlike the current applied general qualifications. The department will also allow for large alternative academic qualifications in areas not well served by A levels or T levels and where an academic pathway is required, such as performing arts and sport.</p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 14/05/2024 15:26:35 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

1715442

registered interest
date	01/05/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Artificial Intelligence: Languages
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have made an assessment of the impact of emerging artificial intelligence capacities on the necessity for foreign language learning.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
uin	HL4303
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/05/2024 answer text <p>Studying a language can be extremely rewarding and exciting for children and young people. It can provide insight into other cultures and open the door to travel and employment opportunities. Whilst Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be useful in enhancing the experience of learning a language, and this should be explored further, it should not be seen as a replacement.</p><p> </p><p>The department wants to capitalise on the opportunities technology like AI presents for education, as well as addressing its risks and challenges. Responses to the call for evidence on generative AI in education highlighted the potential for this technology in generating language exercises and conversational prompts, for example. Language learning was one of the use cases tested as part of the department's Generative AI Hackathon project. The report of this project is due to be published shortly. The most important thing for a high-quality education is having a human expert teacher in the classroom. The emergence of this technology does not change that.</p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 09/05/2024 15:58:56 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1715057

registered interest
date	30/04/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	German Language: GCSE
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government how many pupils took German as a GCSE in (1) 2019, (2) 2020, (3) 2021, (4) 2022, and (5) 2023.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
uin	HL4238
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/05/2024 answer text <p>The requested data can be found in the tables below</p><p><br> <strong>Total number of pupils entering GCSE French, German, and Russian </strong><br><strong> Coverage: England (all schools) </strong><br><strong> Academic years: 2018/19 to 2022/23</strong></p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p>2018/19</p></td><td><p>2019/20</p></td><td><p>2020/21</p></td><td><p>2021/22</p></td><td><p>2022/23</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>French</strong></p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p>123,497</p></td><td><p>124,942</p></td><td><p>125,069</p></td><td><p>124,707</p></td><td><p>125,447</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>German</strong></p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p>41,544</p></td><td><p>40,859</p></td><td><p>37,114</p></td><td><p>35,552</p></td><td><p>33,570</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Russian</strong></p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p>1,353</p></td><td><p>1,621</p></td><td><p>1,448</p></td><td><p>1,944</p></td><td><p>2,590</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br> (1) All schools include state-funded schools, independent schools, independent special schools, non-maintained special schools, hospital schools, pupil referral units and alternative provision. Alternative provision includes academy and free school alternative provision</p><p>(2) Discounting has been applied where pupils have taken the same subject more than once. In 2021/22, with the return of the exam series, first entry rules were reintroduced for discounting. Further information can be found in the secondary accountability guidance. For more on the discounting methodology read the Discounting and Early Entry Guidance</p><p>(3) Total number of entries include pupils who were absent, whose results are pending and results which are ungraded or unclassified</p><p>(4) Figures include attempts and achievements by these pupils in previous academic years where discounting has been applied</p><p>(5) In 2017, new reformed GCSEs (which use the 9-1 grade scale) were introduced into secondary school performance tables in a phased approach. Unreformed subjects continued to be graded using the A* to G system. From 2020 onwards all GCSEs are now reformed and use the 9-1 grading scale. <br> (6) For pupils at the end of KS4 in 2022/23, where pupils achieved qualifications in subjects between January 2020 and August 2021, we will not use results from these qualifications and these results are shown as covid impacted. The entries into the qualifications are still counted.</p><p><br> <br> <strong>Total number of pupils entering A level French, German, and Russian </strong><br><strong> Coverage: England </strong><br><strong> Academic years: 2018/19 to 2022/23</strong></p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>2018/19</p></td><td><p>2019/20</p></td><td><p>2020/21</p></td><td><p>2021/22</p></td><td><p>2022/23</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>French</p></td><td><p>7,386</p></td><td><p>7,408</p></td><td><p>7,393</p></td><td><p>7,151</p></td><td><p>6,308</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>German</p></td><td><p>2,707</p></td><td><p>2,651</p></td><td><p>2,446</p></td><td><p>2,521</p></td><td><p>2,119</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Russian</p></td><td><p>693</p></td><td><p>652</p></td><td><p>596</p></td><td><p>405</p></td><td><p>621</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br> (1) Includes students triggered for inclusion in performance tables who completed A levels during 16-18 study, after discounting of exams. Includes pending awards</p><p>(2) A change to the trigger rules was introduced in 2020/21 such that students were no longer automatically reported after two years in 16-18 study. The introduction caused a fall in cohort size, particular within the vocational and technical cohorts. A full impact analysis can be found in the methodology document (https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/methodology/a-level-and-other-16-to-18-results).</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 09/05/2024 16:19:49 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1715058

registered interest
date	30/04/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	French Language: GCSE
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government how many pupils took French as a GCSE in (1) 2019, (2) 2020, (3) 2021, (4) 2022 and (5) 2023.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
uin	HL4239
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/05/2024 answer text <p>The requested data can be found in the tables below.</p><p><br><strong>Total number of pupils entering GCSE French, German, and Russian</strong><br><strong>Coverage: England (all schools)</strong><br><strong>Academic years: 2018/19 to 2022/23</strong></p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p>2018/19</p></td><td><p>2019/20</p></td><td><p>2020/21</p></td><td><p>2021/22</p></td><td><p>2022/23</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>French</strong></p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p>123,497</p></td><td><p>124,942</p></td><td><p>125,069</p></td><td><p>124,707</p></td><td><p>125,447</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>German</strong></p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p>41,544</p></td><td><p>40,859</p></td><td><p>37,114</p></td><td><p>35,552</p></td><td><p>33,570</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Russian</strong></p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p>1,353</p></td><td><p>1,621</p></td><td><p>1,448</p></td><td><p>1,944</p></td><td><p>2,590</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br>(1) All schools include state-funded schools, independent schools, independent special schools, non-maintained special schools, hospital schools, pupil referral units and alternative provision. Alternative provision includes academy and free school alternative provision</p><p>(2) Discounting has been applied where pupils have taken the same subject more than once. In 2021/22, with the return of the exam series, first entry rules were reintroduced for discounting. Further information can be found in the secondary accountability guidance. For more on the discounting methodology read the Discounting and Early Entry Guidance</p><p>(3) Total number of entries include pupils who were absent, whose results are pending and results which are ungraded or unclassified</p><p>(4) Figures include attempts and achievements by these pupils in previous academic years where discounting has been applied</p><p>(5) In 2017, new reformed GCSEs (which use the 9-1 grade scale) were introduced into secondary school performance tables in a phased approach. Unreformed subjects continued to be graded using the A* to G system. From 2020 onwards all GCSEs are now reformed and use the 9-1 grading scale</p><p>(6) For pupils at the end of KS4 in 2022/23, where pupils achieved qualifications in subjects between January 2020 and August 2021, we will not use results from these qualifications and these results are shown as covid impacted. The entries into the qualifications are still counted.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Total number of pupils entering A level French, German, and Russian</strong><br><strong>Coverage: England</strong><br><strong>Academic years: 2018/19 to 2022/23</strong></p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>2018/19</p></td><td><p>2019/20</p></td><td><p>2020/21</p></td><td><p>2021/22</p></td><td><p>2022/23</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>French</p></td><td><p>7,386</p></td><td><p>7,408</p></td><td><p>7,393</p></td><td><p>7,151</p></td><td><p>6,308</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>German</p></td><td><p>2,707</p></td><td><p>2,651</p></td><td><p>2,446</p></td><td><p>2,521</p></td><td><p>2,119</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Russian</p></td><td><p>693</p></td><td><p>652</p></td><td><p>596</p></td><td><p>405</p></td><td><p>621</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br>(1) Includes students triggered for inclusion in performance tables who completed A levels during 16-18 study, after discounting of exams. Includes pending awards</p><p>(2) A change to the trigger rules was introduced in 2020/21 such that students were no longer automatically reported after two years in 16-18 study. The introduction caused a fall in cohort size, particular within the vocational and technical cohorts. A full impact analysis can be found in the methodology document (https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/methodology/a-level-and-other-16-to-18-results).</p> answering member printed Baroness Barran grouped question UIN HL4240 question first answered 09/05/2024 16:38:41 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1715059

registered interest
date	30/04/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Russian Language: GCE A-level and GCSE
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government how many pupils took Russian as a (1) GCSE, or (2) A-level, in (a) 2019, (b) 2020, (c) 2021, (d) 2022 and (e) 2023.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
uin	HL4240
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/05/2024 answer text <p>The requested data can be found in the tables below.</p><p><br><strong>Total number of pupils entering GCSE French, German, and Russian</strong><br><strong>Coverage: England (all schools)</strong><br><strong>Academic years: 2018/19 to 2022/23</strong></p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p>2018/19</p></td><td><p>2019/20</p></td><td><p>2020/21</p></td><td><p>2021/22</p></td><td><p>2022/23</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>French</strong></p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p>123,497</p></td><td><p>124,942</p></td><td><p>125,069</p></td><td><p>124,707</p></td><td><p>125,447</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>German</strong></p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p>41,544</p></td><td><p>40,859</p></td><td><p>37,114</p></td><td><p>35,552</p></td><td><p>33,570</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Russian</strong></p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p>1,353</p></td><td><p>1,621</p></td><td><p>1,448</p></td><td><p>1,944</p></td><td><p>2,590</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br>(1) All schools include state-funded schools, independent schools, independent special schools, non-maintained special schools, hospital schools, pupil referral units and alternative provision. Alternative provision includes academy and free school alternative provision</p><p>(2) Discounting has been applied where pupils have taken the same subject more than once. In 2021/22, with the return of the exam series, first entry rules were reintroduced for discounting. Further information can be found in the secondary accountability guidance. For more on the discounting methodology read the Discounting and Early Entry Guidance</p><p>(3) Total number of entries include pupils who were absent, whose results are pending and results which are ungraded or unclassified</p><p>(4) Figures include attempts and achievements by these pupils in previous academic years where discounting has been applied</p><p>(5) In 2017, new reformed GCSEs (which use the 9-1 grade scale) were introduced into secondary school performance tables in a phased approach. Unreformed subjects continued to be graded using the A* to G system. From 2020 onwards all GCSEs are now reformed and use the 9-1 grading scale</p><p>(6) For pupils at the end of KS4 in 2022/23, where pupils achieved qualifications in subjects between January 2020 and August 2021, we will not use results from these qualifications and these results are shown as covid impacted. The entries into the qualifications are still counted.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Total number of pupils entering A level French, German, and Russian</strong><br><strong>Coverage: England</strong><br><strong>Academic years: 2018/19 to 2022/23</strong></p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>2018/19</p></td><td><p>2019/20</p></td><td><p>2020/21</p></td><td><p>2021/22</p></td><td><p>2022/23</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>French</p></td><td><p>7,386</p></td><td><p>7,408</p></td><td><p>7,393</p></td><td><p>7,151</p></td><td><p>6,308</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>German</p></td><td><p>2,707</p></td><td><p>2,651</p></td><td><p>2,446</p></td><td><p>2,521</p></td><td><p>2,119</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Russian</p></td><td><p>693</p></td><td><p>652</p></td><td><p>596</p></td><td><p>405</p></td><td><p>621</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br>(1) Includes students triggered for inclusion in performance tables who completed A levels during 16-18 study, after discounting of exams. Includes pending awards</p><p>(2) A change to the trigger rules was introduced in 2020/21 such that students were no longer automatically reported after two years in 16-18 study. The introduction caused a fall in cohort size, particular within the vocational and technical cohorts. A full impact analysis can be found in the methodology document (https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/methodology/a-level-and-other-16-to-18-results).</p> answering member printed Baroness Barran grouped question UIN HL4239 question first answered 09/05/2024 16:38:41 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1715074

registered interest
date	30/04/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	School Day
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what funding they are providing for pilot projects for schools to assess the feasibility of extending the school day.
tabling member printed	Lord Weir of Ballyholme
uin	HL4258
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/05/2024 answer text <p>Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.</p><p> </p><p>All schools have the autonomy to make decisions about the content, structure and duration of their school day to best support their pupils’ education. The government has however set a non-statutory expectation that all state-funded mainstream schools will deliver at least a 32.5 hour school week by September 2024. Most schools already meet this expectation.</p><p> </p><p>Extending the compulsory school day, or offering enrichment activities around the school day, may help children, particularly the most disadvantaged, to improve attainment, social skills and raise aspirations. It may also help parents with childcare. Should a school be considering making changes to the duration of its day, it should act reasonably and consider the impact on those affected, including pupils, parents and teachers.</p><p> </p><p>The government is not providing funding for, nor conducting evaluation of, pilot projects for schools looking to extend the length of the school day. The department is aware of schools taking innovative approaches to structuring their school day and is always interested to hear from schools who are trialling new approaches.</p> answering member printed Baroness Barran grouped question UIN HL4259 question first answered 08/05/2024 15:31:59 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
tabling member	4970 label Biography information for Lord Weir of Ballyholme

1715075

registered interest
date	30/04/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	School Day
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what evaluation, if any, they are undertaking of pilot projects by schools of extending the length of the school day.
tabling member printed	Lord Weir of Ballyholme
uin	HL4259
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/05/2024 answer text <p>Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.</p><p> </p><p>All schools have the autonomy to make decisions about the content, structure and duration of their school day to best support their pupils’ education. The government has however set a non-statutory expectation that all state-funded mainstream schools will deliver at least a 32.5 hour school week by September 2024. Most schools already meet this expectation.</p><p> </p><p>Extending the compulsory school day, or offering enrichment activities around the school day, may help children, particularly the most disadvantaged, to improve attainment, social skills and raise aspirations. It may also help parents with childcare. Should a school be considering making changes to the duration of its day, it should act reasonably and consider the impact on those affected, including pupils, parents and teachers.</p><p> </p><p>The government is not providing funding for, nor conducting evaluation of, pilot projects for schools looking to extend the length of the school day. The department is aware of schools taking innovative approaches to structuring their school day and is always interested to hear from schools who are trialling new approaches.</p> answering member printed Baroness Barran grouped question UIN HL4258 question first answered 08/05/2024 15:31:59 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
tabling member	4970 label Biography information for Lord Weir of Ballyholme

1714604

registered interest
date	29/04/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Children in Care
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking to reduce the number of children in care experiencing multiple placements.
tabling member printed	Lord Laming
uin	HL4152
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2024 answer text <p>The needs of the child are paramount when deciding the right care placement. The Children’s Act 1989 places a duty on local authorities to make sure that there is sufficient provision in their area to meet the needs of children in their care and ensure placements safeguard and promote the child’s welfare. Further, the guidance is clear that the child’s allocated social worker, supported by local authority management and resources, should do everything possible to minimise disruption to the child’s education and, where a child is in key stage 4, a move should only be made in exceptional circumstances. Responsibility for looked-after children sits with the local authority. The guidance and regulations of the Children Act 1989 can be found attached.</p><p> </p><p>Every local authority must appoint a Virtual School Head (VSH), who has a statutory duty to promote the educational attainment of all children in their care. All maintained schools and academies must appoint a designated teacher to act as a source of advice and expertise about the needs of the looked-after children on the school’s roll. Looked-after children also have top priority in school admissions and attract Pupil Premium Plus funding of £2,570 per child, up to age 16. This is managed by the VSH, who works with the child’s education setting to deliver objectives in the child’s personal education plan.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst the number of placements experienced by looked after children in a one year period has remained broadly stable over the past 5 years, the government recognises there are issues with finding stable placements. That is why the government has announced over £400 million in capital funding to help local authorities create more beds in their local areas which will aim to further reduce the number of children experiencing multiple placements.</p> answering member printed Baroness Barran grouped question UIN HL4153 question first answered 14/05/2024 11:55:13 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran attachment 1 file name HL4152 HL4153 attachment - The Children Act 1989 guidance and regulations.pdf title HL4152 HL4153 Attachment
tabling member	2079 label Biography information for Lord Laming

1714605

registered interest
date	29/04/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Children in Care: Schools
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reduce the number of times children in care must change school.
tabling member printed	Lord Laming
uin	HL4153
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2024 answer text <p>The needs of the child are paramount when deciding the right care placement. The Children’s Act 1989 places a duty on local authorities to make sure that there is sufficient provision in their area to meet the needs of children in their care and ensure placements safeguard and promote the child’s welfare. Further, the guidance is clear that the child’s allocated social worker, supported by local authority management and resources, should do everything possible to minimise disruption to the child’s education and, where a child is in key stage 4, a move should only be made in exceptional circumstances. Responsibility for looked-after children sits with the local authority. The guidance and regulations of the Children Act 1989 can be found attached.</p><p> </p><p>Every local authority must appoint a Virtual School Head (VSH), who has a statutory duty to promote the educational attainment of all children in their care. All maintained schools and academies must appoint a designated teacher to act as a source of advice and expertise about the needs of the looked-after children on the school’s roll. Looked-after children also have top priority in school admissions and attract Pupil Premium Plus funding of £2,570 per child, up to age 16. This is managed by the VSH, who works with the child’s education setting to deliver objectives in the child’s personal education plan.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst the number of placements experienced by looked after children in a one year period has remained broadly stable over the past 5 years, the government recognises there are issues with finding stable placements. That is why the government has announced over £400 million in capital funding to help local authorities create more beds in their local areas which will aim to further reduce the number of children experiencing multiple placements.</p> answering member printed Baroness Barran grouped question UIN HL4152 question first answered 14/05/2024 11:55:13 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran attachment 1 file name HL4152 HL4153 attachment - The Children Act 1989 guidance and regulations.pdf title HL4152 HL4153 Attachment
tabling member	2079 label Biography information for Lord Laming

1714607

registered interest
date	29/04/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Children in Care: Education
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking to improve the education of children in care.
tabling member printed	Lord Laming
uin	HL4154
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/05/2024 answer text <p>The government is committed to ensuring that looked-after children are supported to succeed in education and achieve positive outcomes. Every local authority must appoint a virtual school head (VSH), who has a statutory duty to promote the educational attainment of all children in their care. All maintained schools and academies must appoint a designated teacher to act as a source of advice and expertise about the needs of the looked-after children on the school’s roll. Looked-after children also have top priority in school admissions and attract pupil premium plus funding of £2,570 per child, up to age 16. This is managed by the VSH, who works with the child’s education setting to deliver objectives in the child’s Personal Education Plan.</p><p> </p><p>In February 2023, the department announced the national rollout of £24 million of pupil premium plus style funding to looked-after children and care leavers at post-16 for the next two years, from 2023/24. This funding, which builds on an initial £8 million pilot that launched in October 2021, gives VHSs the financial levers to positively impact the educational outcomes of looked-after children and care leavers in post-16 education.</p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 09/05/2024 16:18:13 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
tabling member	2079 label Biography information for Lord Laming