Contributions
793 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSchools: StaffingMy Lords, I think that the school which has come to the noble Lord’s attention is Furzedown School in Wandsworth. The challenge which that school faces is declining pupil numbers.…04 Apr 2019HANSARDSchools: StaffingMy Lords, as I said in answer to the Question, funding is going up. It does not help the debate to follow scurrilous articles about food portions. That school was throwing away a…04 Apr 2019HANSARDSchools: StaffingMy Lords, the noble Baroness is right: it is complicated, and that is why we introduced the national funding formula, which put another £1.3 billion into the system. Since 2017,…04 Apr 2019HANSARDSchools: StaffingBecause we inherited a very great—04 Apr 2019HANSARDSchools: StaffingThe average per-pupil funding is as I gave in an earlier answer: around £4,100 per pupil. On top of that we add pupil premium, which is some £12 billion we have put into the…04 Apr 2019HANSARDSchools: StaffingMy Lords, it is for schools to make their own decisions about investing their funding and their staffing. The department publishes pay ranges and all maintained schools must…04 Apr 2019HANSARDSpecial Educational NeedsMy Lords, when these reforms came in, we initiated local area inspections. The noble Lord may be aware that we carried out a number of these in combination with Ofsted and the…26 Mar 2019HANSARDSpecial Educational NeedsI certainly support the noble Lord’s suggestion and will take that back to the department. I see no benefit in ambulance chasers benefiting from these cases. It is also worth…26 Mar 2019HANSARDSpecial Educational NeedsTo reassure the right reverend Prelate, I can say that we are learning from the process. I mentioned earlier the area inspections being carried out. Indeed, a number of inspection…26 Mar 2019HANSARDSpecial Educational NeedsMy Lords, it is important to stress that about only 1.5% of all EHC plans are appealed to tribunal. Of those who decide to appeal, 60% fall away and do not go to tribunal, because…26 Mar 2019HANSARDSpecial Educational NeedsMy Lords, we have consistently increased funding to the high-needs block and in December last year announced an additional £250 million for high-needs funding. I understand and…26 Mar 2019HANSARDSpecial Educational NeedsMy Lords, as I said in my Answer, the local authority cannot withdraw support during an appeal period.26 Mar 2019HANSARDSpecial Educational NeedsI certainly take the noble Lord’s suggestion on board and will recommend that to my right honourable friend the Secretary of State, because we are in a learning period. This is a…26 Mar 2019HANSARDSpecial Educational NeedsMy Lords, local authorities are required to carry out any tribunal orders within specified time periods. Data is not collected to demonstrate compliance. However, all local…26 Mar 2019HANSARDKnife Crime: First Aid in SchoolsMy Lords, the noble Lord is absolutely right that the causes of knife crime are complicated. We must be honest about not fully understanding them. I accept that austerity is one…13 Mar 2019HANSARDKnife Crime: First Aid in SchoolsMy Lords, we know that first aid saves lives. That is why life-saving skills are part of health education, which we are introducing in all state-funded schools. Pupils will be…13 Mar 2019HANSARDKnife Crime: First Aid in SchoolsMy noble friend asks a good question. In fact, about a month ago, I wrote to the head of Counter Terrorism Command in London to broker a meeting between him and some heads in…13 Mar 2019HANSARDKnife Crime: First Aid in SchoolsMy Lords, the noble Lord raises a very important point on exclusion. It is always a last resort to use a permanent exclusion for a pupil. Just to give some context, the percentage…13 Mar 2019HANSARDKnife Crime: First Aid in SchoolsThe noble Lord is right to say that this is an entire community endeavour; it is not down to just the police or schools. I refer him to a recent report published by Action on…13 Mar 2019HANSARDKnife Crime: First Aid in SchoolsMy Lords, as I said in reply to an earlier question, we are conscious that specialist provision for children who are permanently excluded needs to be improved. I completely accept…13 Mar 2019