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93152

registered interest
date	14/10/2014
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Home Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make it her policy to collect information on the (a) number, (b) religion and (c) ethnicity of children being homeschooled in England.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	210289
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2014 answer text <p>There are no current plans to collect personal information on children receiving elective home education. The Department for Education is aware, however, of some concerns amongst local authorities about the information they have on such children in their areas. We have recently begun discussions with a range of representative bodies about these concerns and other home education issues, especially in relation to safeguarding</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Mr Nick Gibb question first answered 20/10/2014 15:04:26 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

90053

registered interest
date	01/09/2014
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Home Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the performance in external examinations of home schooled children at Key Stage (a) 2, (b) 3 and (c) 4 in the most recent academic year for which figures are available.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	207744
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/09/2014 answer text <p>The requested information is not held by the Department for Education. Therefore, no assessment has been made.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Mr Nick Gibb question first answered 04/09/2014 14:40:32 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

64493

registered interest
date	27/06/2014
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, under what circumstances gender segregation of boys and girls in the classroom is permitted in schools; and if he will issue revised guidance on this matter to Ofsted.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	202912
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2014 answer text <p>A co-educational school adopting a policy of separation on the basis of sex, which treated girls less favourably than boys (or vice versa), would be acting unlawfully under the Equality Act 2010. The Department for Education has issued advice to schools on the application of the Equality Act 2010:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-advice-for-schools" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-advice-for-schools</a></p><p>As this guidance states, it is possible to justify separate classes in exceptional circumstances, for example in delivering elements of sex and relationship education, or for PE. In all other cases, the Department expects co-educational schools to teach boys and girls in mixed classes and not to treat them differently because of their gender.</p><p> </p><p>Inspectors take into account guidance issued to schools by the Department, including the existing guidance on the Equality Act 2010. We would expect them to question a school about any segregation of pupils by gender to ensure that this is only taking place in exceptional circumstances as outlined by the Equality Act.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Yeovil answering member printed Mr David Laws question first answered 08/07/2014 10:10:24 answering member 1473 label Biography information for Mr David Laws
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

64494

registered interest
date	27/06/2014
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Uniforms
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance he gives to schools on steps they should take to inform students of their right to wear or not to wear religious clothing.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	202911
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2014 answer text <p>It is for the governing body of each school to set their own policies on school uniform and other matters of appearance. The Department for Education's guidance to schools on school uniform recommends that, once this policy is decided, the governing body should describe its uniform or appearance policy clearly and ensure that parents are informed.</p><p> </p><p>The uniform guidance reminds schools of their need to have full regard to their obligations under equalities law when setting and enforcing their school uniform policy. It also recommends that the governing body considers carefully any reasonable requests to vary their uniform policy to accommodate individual pupils' beliefs.</p><p> </p><p>The school uniform guidance is available at: <a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-uniform" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-uniform</a>.</p> answering member constituency Yeovil answering member printed Mr David Laws question first answered 07/07/2014 11:45:41 answering member 1473 label Biography information for Mr David Laws
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

64495

registered interest
date	27/06/2014
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Uniforms
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, under what circumstances schools are permitted to require religious headcoverings or other religious items as part of compulsory uniform; and if he will issue revised guidance on this matter to Ofsted.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	202910
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2014 answer text <p>Our guidance to schools on school uniform is clear that schools must have full regard to their obligations under equalities law, and act reasonably, fairly and flexibly in the interests of all their students.</p><p> </p><p>A school that required compulsory religious items as part of its policy may be at risk of breaching the Equality Act 2010; we would expect all schools to act flexibly in response to reasonable requests to vary their uniform policy.</p><p> </p><p>The Department's guidance on school uniform is available online: <a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-uniform" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-uniform</a>.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Yeovil answering member printed Mr David Laws question first answered 10/07/2014 16:39:56 answering member 1473 label Biography information for Mr David Laws
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

62612

registered interest
date	18/06/2014
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	School Choice
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent estimate he has made of the number of school-age children living in areas where the only state schools within reasonable travelling distance are faith schools.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	201185
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2014 answer text <p>We have made no such estimate. Local authorities have responsibility for securing sufficient school places to meet the needs of their local communities and have the statutory duties and powers to support that. They must also ensure that the balance of different types of provision meets local demand and that they make suitable transport arrangements for eligible pupils.</p><p>The Government does recognise the need to ensure that new provision meets the needs of the whole community. New academies and free schools with a religious designation may only prioritise up to 50% of pupils on the basis of faith-related admissions criteria.</p> answering member constituency Yeovil answering member printed Mr David Laws question first answered 24/06/2014 09:57:12 answering member 1473 label Biography information for Mr David Laws
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

61666

registered interest
date	12/06/2014
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Primary Education: Admissions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effect of the current starting age for children entering primary education on the wellbeing and attainment of those born in summer months.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	200501
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2014 answer text <p>The Department for Education has not made an assessment of the effect of the current starting age for children entering primary education on the wellbeing and attainment of those born in the summer months.</p><p>However, research[1] carried out by the Department has demonstrated that the age at which tests are taken is the dominant reason for month of birth gaps in educational attainment, and not the age at which children start school; it is simply the fact of being younger when tested that accounts for most of the differences observed. The research reported no evidence of a causal relationship between school entry age and attainment.</p><p>Parents of summer born children who think their child is not ready to start school can request that their child is admitted outside of their normal age group and be admitted to reception year in the September following their fifth birthday. The school's admission authority is responsible for making the decision which must be based on the individual circumstance of each case.</p><p>[1]<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/182664/DFE-RR017.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/182664/DFE-RR017.pdf</a></p> answering member constituency South West Norfolk answering member printed Elizabeth Truss question first answered 18/06/2014 16:32:29 answering member 4097 label Biography information for Elizabeth Truss
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

58104

registered interest
date	04/06/2014
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Primary Education: Admissions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessments he has made of the successes and failures of the differing primary school starting age in other countries such as Finland and Norway.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	198993
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2014 answer text <p>Formal school starting ages vary across OECD member states. However it is useful to compare the state provision of education for young children prior to the start of compulsory education as the majority of children in OECD countries have entered the education system at a young age - participation rates in formal childcare and pre-school are broadly similar across Finland, Norway and the United Kingdom.</p><p> </p><p>Research indicates that most countries have published curricula governing the provision of early years education from the ages four to six years which are consistent in their use of learning objectives and expected outcomes. The Department has commissioned the OECD to carry out an international review of pedagogy and practice in the early years to investigate this issue further. We anticipate a report in autumn 2014.</p><p> </p><p>Research has demonstrated that all-round development is enhanced for those children attending nursery compared to those who don't before starting school. This suggests that attending a formal learning environment from an earlier age is typically beneficial. Furthermore duration in nursery matters, with every month of nursery experience after age two years linked to better intellectual development and improved independence, concentration and sociability at age five with a continued effect at Key Stage 1.</p><p> </p><p>High quality early years education will help close the attainment gap that already exists by the beginning of primary school between disadvantaged children and their peers. Evidence is clear that children's learning and development in their early years is crucial to later attainment. The Effective Provision of Pre-School Education Project found that high quality early years education is a strong predictor of achievement in English and mathematics later on in school.</p><p> </p><p>We cannot provide the information requested on representations on this topic. The Department receives a huge volume of mail and representations on education and children's issues. There would be a disproportionate cost to providing a response in this case.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Norfolk answering member printed Elizabeth Truss grouped question UIN 198713 198715 question first answered 19/06/2014 16:37:47 answering member 4097 label Biography information for Elizabeth Truss
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

58105

registered interest
date	04/06/2014
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Primary Education: Admissions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to his Department's School Admissions Code, published in February 2012, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the consistent and effectual application of sections 2.16 and 2.17 of that code to primary education admissions for summer-born children.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	198714
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/06/2014 answer text <p>We published advice on the admission of summer-born children in July 2013. We are now monitoring the impact of this advice and have committed to review it one year after its publication.</p><p> </p><p>Officials are investigating cases referred to them to ensure admission authorities are complying with the provisions in the Code.</p> answering member constituency Yeovil answering member printed Mr David Laws question first answered 10/06/2014 12:38:12 answering member 1473 label Biography information for Mr David Laws
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

58106

registered interest
date	04/06/2014
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Primary Education: Admissions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what representations he has received from (a) researchers, (b) academies, (c) pressure groups, (d) parents and (e) people working in education on the appropriate age for children to enter primary education.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	198713
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2014 answer text <p>Formal school starting ages vary across OECD member states. However it is useful to compare the state provision of education for young children prior to the start of compulsory education as the majority of children in OECD countries have entered the education system at a young age - participation rates in formal childcare and pre-school are broadly similar across Finland, Norway and the United Kingdom.</p><p> </p><p>Research indicates that most countries have published curricula governing the provision of early years education from the ages four to six years which are consistent in their use of learning objectives and expected outcomes. The Department has commissioned the OECD to carry out an international review of pedagogy and practice in the early years to investigate this issue further. We anticipate a report in autumn 2014.</p><p> </p><p>Research has demonstrated that all-round development is enhanced for those children attending nursery compared to those who don't before starting school. This suggests that attending a formal learning environment from an earlier age is typically beneficial. Furthermore duration in nursery matters, with every month of nursery experience after age two years linked to better intellectual development and improved independence, concentration and sociability at age five with a continued effect at Key Stage 1.</p><p> </p><p>High quality early years education will help close the attainment gap that already exists by the beginning of primary school between disadvantaged children and their peers. Evidence is clear that children's learning and development in their early years is crucial to later attainment. The Effective Provision of Pre-School Education Project found that high quality early years education is a strong predictor of achievement in English and mathematics later on in school.</p><p> </p><p>We cannot provide the information requested on representations on this topic. The Department receives a huge volume of mail and representations on education and children's issues. There would be a disproportionate cost to providing a response in this case.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Norfolk answering member printed Elizabeth Truss grouped question UIN 198715 198993 question first answered 19/06/2014 16:37:47 answering member 4097 label Biography information for Elizabeth Truss
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman