Contributions
1,271 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCovid-19: Educational SettingsMy Lords, the staff in the early years sector have done a sterling job as well, and over 80% of early years were in their settings before Christmas. These are not unsafe…07 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19: Educational SettingsMy Lords, I have outlined that the priority in relation to vaccination is based on that evidence because of the clinical risk of hospitalisation and mortality for the age of the…07 Jan 2021HANSARDChild WelfareMy Lords, families play a primary role in caring for and educating their children. The right honourable Secretary of State for Education has therefore been asked to drive forward…07 Jan 2021HANSARDChild WelfareMy Lords, the needs of children and families indeed cut across government departments. Therefore, the Government’s existing procedures are utilised when policy impacts on more…07 Jan 2021HANSARDChild WelfareMy Lords, it is a privilege for the Secretary of State to be in charge of driving forward policy in this area. However, we should not focus solely on the level of responsibility,…07 Jan 2021HANSARDChild WelfareMy Lords, yes, there are a number of departments that have responsibility in this area. For instance, the DHSC has led on the childhood obesity strategy, while money raised by the…07 Jan 2021HANSARDChild WelfareMy Lords, the advantage in having a Children’s Commissioner is that it is a statutory appointment and, as I say, there will be a new occupant. However, we are privileged in this…07 Jan 2021HANSARDSchools: ExamsMy Lords, those students at supplementary schools are reviewed as private candidates. That is the same situation that home-educated students found themselves in last year, many of…06 Jan 2021HANSARDSchools: ExamsMy Lords, on the cancellation of exams for this summer, the consultation by Ofqual will include all the factors, including the ones that the noble Lord outlines. We know that…06 Jan 2021HANSARDSchools: ExamsMy Lords, obviously education is a devolved matter within the United Kingdom, and Northern Ireland is still planning examinations, so there will have been different decisions at…06 Jan 2021HANSARDSchools: ExamsMy Lords, as I outlined, UCAS has extended the application window for two weeks. I am anticipating that external moderation will be part of what the consultation will include.…06 Jan 2021HANSARDSchools: ExamsMy Lords, in addition to the laptops that I outlined, 50,000 4G routers have been given to disadvantaged children. We have worked closely with the mobile phone companies to lift…06 Jan 2021HANSARDSchools: ExamsMy Lords, as I have outlined, the Government closed schools as a last resort and cancelled exams as the best independent way of assessing students’ performance. The tectonic plate…06 Jan 2021HANSARDSchools: ExamsMy Lords, schools and colleges can continue with vocational and technical exams that are scheduled in January where they judge that it is right to do so. Students will not sit…06 Jan 2021HANSARDSchools: ExamsMy Lords, colleges have been given the discretion this month, because most of the content will have been learned. Seven awarding organisations had assessments planned for this…06 Jan 2021HANSARDSchools: ExamsMy Lords, we have made clear that school places are available for children where one parent is a critical worker, and for vulnerable children, because they are best off in school.…06 Jan 2021HANSARDSchools: ExamsMy Lords, the noble Baroness is correct. For disadvantaged students the lockdown and the closure of schools was a last resort. We are keenly aware of the implications for children…06 Jan 2021HANSARDSchools: ExamsThe noble Lord is correct that twists and turns can obviously be very quick. Remote education is the most important thing for students at the moment. A direction was issued before…06 Jan 2021HANSARDExams and Accountability in 2021My Lords, the Statement from my right honourable friend the Secretary of State addressed the fact that similar concessions are being made for vocational and technical…08 Dec 2020HANSARDExams and Accountability in 2021My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his involvement in schools. We depend on thousands and thousands of volunteers in our schools for governance in the school system. In terms of…08 Dec 2020