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1027607

registered interest
date	18/12/2018
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Foster Care
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children are currently in foster care.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	203264
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/12/2018 answer text <p>At 31 March 2018, there were 55,200 looked-after children in England in foster placements. Further information on the number of looked-after children by their placement is published in table A2 of the statistical release ‘Children looked after in England including adoption: 2017 to 2018’: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2017-to-2018" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2017-to-2018</a>.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 21/12/2018 09:32:45 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

1022975

registered interest
date	10/12/2018
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Closures
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many school closures there were in each of the last three years.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	200626
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/12/2018 answer text <p>The attached table shows the number of school closures for all reasons in England in each of the last three calendar years. <br> In the majority of instances, a closure is a procedural event marking the ending of one legal entity immediately followed by the opening of a successor establishment under a new legal entity, for example where a school ceases to be maintained by its local authority and becomes an academy.</p><p>The actual number of schools that are recorded as closing without being replaced by a successor establishment are set out in the table below.</p><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="4"><p><strong>Number of schools that are recorded as closing without being replaced by a successor establishment</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2"><p><strong>Type of establishment</strong></p></td><td colspan="3"><p><strong>Calendar year</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016</p></td><td><p>2017</p></td><td><p>2018 (to 11 December)</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Academies</p></td><td><p>2</p></td><td><p>6</p></td><td><p>6</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>LA maintained schools</p></td><td><p>25</p></td><td><p>18</p></td><td><p>16</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Free schools*</p></td><td><p>8</p></td><td><p>11</p></td><td><p>10</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Independent schools</p></td><td><p>83</p></td><td><p>50</p></td><td><p>55</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>* including University Technical Colleges and Studio Schools.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 18/12/2018 17:19:02 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

1022976

registered interest
date	10/12/2018
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Children: Obesity
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if his Department will provide funding for extracurricular activities for schools to help tackle childhood obesity.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	200627
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/12/2018 answer text <p>The government firmly believes in the importance of physical education (PE), sport and extra-curricular activities to teach children the importance of physical activity to improve their physical and mental health as well as their overall wellbeing.</p><p> </p><p>Since 2013, the government has invested over £1 billion of ring-fenced funding through the primary PE and sport premium to improve PE, sport, physical activity and extra-curricular activities for all pupils in England. We encourage schools to use this funding to support their least active pupils achieve the Chief Medical Officers' guidelines of 60 minutes of physical activity each day, of which 30 minutes should be during the school day.</p><p> </p><p>Under the Childhood Obesity Plan chapter 2 update the government is promoting a national ambition for every primary school in England to embrace an active mile, such as the Daily Mile, as a fun, inclusive and engaging way for all pupils to develop healthy exercise habits from a young age. Schools have the freedom to use the funding to determine which activities will improve participation, especially for their least active pupils.</p><p> </p><p>The government has also allocated £100 million from the Sugar Industry Direct Levy through the Healthy Pupils Capital Fund in England to improve pupil access to facilities for physical activity, healthy eating, mental health and wellbeing and medical conditions. Schools have used this fund to improve their facilities which can be used to provide extra-curricular activities for pupils. Examples how this funding has been spent include, resurfacing playgrounds, refurbishing swimming pools and building changing rooms.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 18/12/2018 10:26:13 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

1016242

registered interest
date	28/11/2018
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Special Educational Needs: Autism
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if his Department will take steps to reduce the time taken for autistic children to receive a statement of special educational needs.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	196715
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/12/2018 answer text <p>All local authorities in England are required to follow the guidance set out in the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice: 0-25 years: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25</a>.</p><p>This requires them to meet a statutory deadline of 20 weeks for completion of an Education, Health and Care plan from the time that they receive a request for an assessment. This applies to all children and young people, including those on the autism spectrum.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 04/12/2018 10:14:22 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

1015448

registered interest
date	27/11/2018
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Foster Care: Regulation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he plans to establish a regulatory body for foster agencies.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	196161
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2018 answer text <p>Fostering is a devolved matter. All fostering agencies registered in England are subject to regulations relevant to the placement of children in foster care including the Fostering Services (England) Regulations (2011) and the Care Standards Act (2000). These regulations provide the legal framework for the conduct of fostering services and sit alongside the national minimum standards in fostering. Ofsted take this framework into account in the inspection of fostering services in England but has no remit in the devolved administrations.</p><p>The department believes that the current system is robust and have no plans to introduce a separate regulatory body at this time.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 05/12/2018 12:40:35 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

1002552

registered interest
date	06/11/2018
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Autism: Respite Care
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate his Department has made of the number of (a) parents and (b) guardians of children who are high on the spectrum of autism who have accessed respite care in each of the last three years.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	188784
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/11/2018 answer text <p>The department does not collect specific information on the numbers of parents/guardians who access respite care. However, The Children and Families Act (2014) provides a framework to ensure that children with autism are identified early and receive the support they need. A disabled child would fall under the category of a child in need and parents, guardians or professionals could make a referral to the local authority children’s services who are best placed to assess the needs and priorities of disabled children in their area.</p><p>Information regarding how much local authorities have planned to spend on their short breaks/respite provision through the authorities’ annual section 251 returns can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-local-authority-school-finance-data" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-local-authority-school-finance-data</a>.</p><p>Giving children and young people with autism the right start in life is hugely important in ensuring that they can have successful and rewarding lives. We want all children, no matter what their special educational need or disability, to be able to reach their full potential and receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. That is why we have put in place significant reforms, aimed at making the system less confrontational and promoting better involvement of parents and a real focus on outcomes and transition to adult life.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 13/11/2018 17:16:04 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

993998

registered interest
date	24/10/2018
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Pupils: Refugees
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many child refugees are being schooled in the UK.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	183315
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/11/2018 answer text <p>The information requested is not held centrally.</p><p>Information on refugee status is not collected within the school census. All children in the UK aged between 5-15 are required to be in education, including refugee children.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 01/11/2018 12:53:44 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

909028

registered interest
date	21/05/2018
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Intercountry Adoption
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to support families in adopting children from overseas.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	146188
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/05/2018 answer text <p>The Department for Education provides a service to process intercountry adoption cases in accordance with the legislative framework. We provide prospective adopters with information and guidance on the intercountry process but do not provide legal advice on individual cases and independent legal advice may need to be obtained. Prospective adopters habitually resident in the UK, who wish to undertake an intercountry adoption need to be assessed and approved by a registered adoption agency, which will support them through the process.</p><p> </p><p>Information on the intercountry adoption process can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/child-adoption/adopting-a-child-from-overseas" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/child-adoption/adopting-a-child-from-overseas</a>.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 30/05/2018 10:22:15 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

904060

registered interest
date	14/05/2018
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Physical Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has any plans to increase the time pupils participate in physical education.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	143721
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2018 answer text <p>Physical education (PE) is a compulsory subject at all four key stages in the National Curriculum. All schools in England are expected to teach PE as part of a broad and balanced curriculum. It is up to schools to decide how much time to dedicate to PE and the government does not set central expectations.</p><p> </p><p>The Chief Medical Officers have recommended that primary school pupils should be active for 60 minutes a day. The government’s ‘Childhood Obesity: Plan for Action’ recommends that least 30 minutes should be delivered in school every day, partly through PE but also through active break times, extra-curricular clubs, active lessons, or other sport and physical activity events. The department is supporting this through initiatives such as the Primary PE and Sport premium- doubling the premium to £320 million a year from September 2017 using revenue from the Soft Drinks Industry Levy. Schools must use the funding to make additional and sustainable improvements to the quality of PE and sport they offer and make improvements now that will benefit pupils joining the school in future years.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 22/05/2018 15:18:16 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

894937

registered interest
date	30/04/2018
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Education: Standards
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 tackle educational underachievement in working class areas.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	139453
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/05/2018 answer text <p>Educational achievement, irrespective of background, is at the heart of our commitment to make this a country where everyone can go as far in life as their hard work will take them.</p><p> </p><p>We recognise that children from poorer backgrounds may face additional challenges to realising their potential. Accordingly, we have spent over £13 billion since 2011, almost £2.5 billion this year alone, through the pupil premium to provide schools with extra resources to overcome barriers to learning that children from disadvantaged backgrounds can face. This complements our work to raise standards through much-needed reform to school curriculum, assessment and accountability. Since 2011, against a background of rising standards, the disadvantage attainment gap in England has narrowed by 10% at the end of both primary and secondary education.</p><p> </p><p>We look to schools to use this extra funding effectively. Research shows that a personalised approach, drawing on well-evidenced effective practice, generally produces good results. We commissioned the research published by the National Foundation for Educational Research and the Education Endowment Foundation to support school leaders’ decision-making. We have highlighted examples of effective practice through the national Pupil Premium Awards.</p><p> </p><p>We know there is more to do and, through our £72 million Opportunity Areas programme, we are targeting local and national resource in twelve areas facing social mobility challenges. We intend to drive up educational achievement and improve social mobility for the children and young people who live there. We will learn the lessons from this approach to share with other areas, so that children growing up in areas facing similar challenges have an opportunity to flourish and create a secure future for themselves.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 09/05/2018 15:59:26 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson