Question time briefing: Children and schools

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ePolitix.com reports on Monday's oral questions to ministers at the Department of Children, Schools and Families.

At oral questions in the House of Commons on March 9, the shadow education secretary accused the government of educational apartheid over standards of GCSEs used in state schools.

Michael Gove slammed ministers over the lack of a requirement to study foreign literature at A-Level.

Minister Jim Knight replied, stressing the need to ensure a greater take up of subjects.

But Gove criticised the "catastrophic decline" that had followed government policies. He pointed to IGCSE take up in schools that were able to, and suggested that the minister was presiding over "educational apartheid".

Knight focussed on the Dearing review, a plan to require seven years of compulsory language learning and science teaching to ability.

Gordon Marsden (Lab, Blackpool South) opened the questions asking about the myplace programme and support for Blackpool.

Beverley Hughes responded by saying that a Blackpool youth hub could offer the help required. Marsden asked congratulated the young people and Hughes highlighted that young people had been consulted on with the proposals and that is why they where successful.

Joan Humble (Lab, Blackpool North and Fleetwood) asked if younger people from the north of Blackpool would be able to use the facilities in the south of Blackpool. Children's secretary Ed Balls reassured her that bid-makers would offer inclusive facilities.

Kerry McCarthy (Lab, Bristol East) asked about the spending plans for the following year. Ed Balls highlighted £390m to all schools and £419m to local authorities to accelerate large scale spending.

McCarthy then spoke about the need to get this money into businesses. Balls agreed that the money left could bring even more money forwards for contracts with local businesses.

Liberal Democrat education spokesperson David Laws asked if the pledge to increase investment and funding each year from the Labour government still stood.

Balls argued that it did and then attacked Conservative proposals for cuts in school funds.

Andrew Pelling (Ind, Croydon Central) then quizzed the minister on progress in Croydon on new schools. Jim Knight highlighted current proposals and stressed the importance of the Key to Success programme.

Pelling also called for action to avoid the disruption that is caused in the creation of new and merging of existing schools.

Robert Goodwill (Con, Scarborough and Whitby) opened up questions on the education maintenance allowance. He highlighted a "particular nightmare" for sixth-form colleges and called for the minister to apologise for errors in the administration of the allowance scheme.

Minister Sarah McCarthy-Fry stressed that all applications were now handled within two weeks.

Denis MacShane (Lab, Rotherham) criticised earlier Conservative opposition to the scheme, whilst Julia Goldsworthy (Lib Dem, Falmouth and Camborne) asked why there were not equivalent benefits for those with learning difficulties.

The minister again replied that they were committed to helping all within parliament.

Madeleine Moon (Lab, Bridgend) then added her voice to call for help for those younger people who come from families who lose their income.

The minister agreed on the need for increased flexibility.

Greg Hands (Con, Hammersmith and Fulham) quizzed the department about educational standards in secondary schools.

Jim Knight claimed that secondary school standards have never been higher. HE put specific problems down to specific schools.

Ken Purchase (Lab/Co-op, Wolverhampton North East) added that in his constituency, they had achieved this without the need for academies.

Jim Knight maintained that the take up of higher-education had improved.

David Evennett (Con, Bexleyheath & Crayford) spoke of educational standards while Fiona Mactaggart (Lab, Slough) pointed to birth rate increases creating infrastructure problems in schools in her constituencies.

Sir Patrick Cormack (Con, South Staffordshire) then highlighted concerns over Rose review proposals and asked for assurances that there would be "no question of government telling primary schools that they should not teach subjects".

Brian Jenkins (Lab, Tamworth) criticised the assessment methods, suggesting that teaching to the test at the end of primary school could result in a fall in standards at the beginning of secondary school.

Nick Gibb (Con, Schools) asked about the value of the Rose Review given it consulted just "eight parents".

McCarthy-Fry replied that 100 parents were consulted not eight, and argued that allusions to a "golden age of literacy and numeracy" were false.

Philip Dunne (Con, Ludlow) asked about surplus funds and highlighted the under-funding of rural schools.

Maria Miller (Con, Basingstoke) added her concerns and asked for assurances that there would be no "plunder" of school surplus funds.

Mark Harper (Con, Forest of Dean) pointed to problems of short breaks for families with disabled children schemes.

Balls pointed to increased funding and suggested that failure to use money was the fault of primary care trusts and not his department.

Tim Loughton (Con, East Worthing and Shoreham) suggested that Mencap was now reporting that "not one child has seen one increase in their care packages".

Henry Bellingham (Con, North West Norfolk) asked about the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service and highlighted the dangers of a lack of a complaints procedure.

The minister responded that there was a complaints procedure which could be followed.

John Robertson (Lab, Glasgow North West) inquired what steps the government has taken to encourage parents in the most disadvantaged areas to participate in the education of their children.

Jim Knight stressed that parent support advisers were targeted on deprivation.

Peter Bone (Con, Wellingborough) raised problems faced by teachers who were frustrated over non-English speaking pupils being unable to take part in lessons.

Topical questions followed.

Stephen Hepburn (Lab, Jarrow) asked about specialist schools and useful facilities.

Philip Davies (Con, Shipley) asked how it could be made easier to deal with poor quality teachers.

Ann Winterton (Con, Congleton) called for good discipline, school uniforms and an act of Christian worship.

Andy Slaughter (Lab, Ealing, Acton and Shepherd's Bush) asked about the misuse of public funds in the education sector, questioning faith schools in particular.

Robert Goodwill (Con, Scarborough and Whitby) asked about the diversity of foods available in schools, but also spoke of certainty in schools of getting particular meals.

In a key response, Ed Balls alluded to the possibility of free school meals for all pupils.

Both John Bercow (Con, Buckingham) and Lyn Brown (Lab, West Ham) warned of pupils being bullied and subsequent suicide attempts.

Andrew Mackinlay (Lab, Thurrock) remained opposed to academies excluding pupils who previously had a place at its predecessor schools.