Contributions
727 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Ninth sitting)Clauses 30 and 37 concern the regulation of independent educational institutions. I will turn first to clause 30. All children should receive the best chances in life and an…04 Feb 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Ninth sitting)Amendment 71 would make changes to clause 33, which, among other things, requires private schools to seek prior approval from the Secretary of State before they occupy a building…04 Feb 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Ninth sitting)I thank the shadow Minister, the hon. Member for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston, for his constructive response. He made a number of points and asked whether the clause applies to…04 Feb 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Ninth sitting)I am happy to take the shadow Minister’s points away and get him a response in due course. Question put and agreed to. Clause 30 accordingly ordered to stand part of the Bill .…04 Feb 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Ninth sitting)This group of clauses concerns actions that can be taken against those who operate an education institution in breach of the existing regulatory regime. I will discuss clause 36…04 Feb 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Ninth sitting)On the hon. Member for Twickenham’s points about Ofsted, the powers are available only to investigate the commission of specified relevant offences. Our experience is that the…04 Feb 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Ninth sitting)I answered the shadow Minister’s point earlier. We are referring specifically to private schools in this legislation. This is an important and necessary change that I trust…04 Feb 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Ninth sitting)We are consulting and engaging widely on the Bill. The hon. Lady’s point is well made, and the Department will respond to it in due course. Finally, clause 35 allows more…04 Feb 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Ninth sitting)I assure the shadow Minister that the provision does apply to academies, so I thank him for raising that point. Clauses 33 and 35 make important changes to our material change…04 Feb 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Ninth sitting)The clause removes an ambiguity in the Education and Skills Act 2008 as to when a private school or other independent educational institution may be permanently removed from the…04 Feb 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Ninth sitting)Private schools are subject to inspection to ensure that the education they offer is safe and helps children to achieve and thrive. In addition, where a school provides…04 Feb 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Ninth sitting)The Government take very seriously the protection of children and young people, particularly when they are receiving their education. We know that teachers are the single most…04 Feb 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Ninth sitting)I appreciate the questions and contributions from the Opposition on this important clause. The right hon. Member for East Hampshire is right to ensure that he gets responses to…04 Feb 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Ninth sitting)I thank the hon. Member for that intervention —his questions are on the public record, and we will do our best to respond to each of the points. My colleague may also wish to…04 Feb 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Ninth sitting)That is very kind, Sir Edward. I absolutely agree with you. The right hon. Member for East Hampshire made a number of points with regard to the Teaching Regulation Agency. He will…04 Feb 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Ninth sitting)We will consider these matters extremely closely as we progress the Bill further. I will take that point away to officials. With regard to the hon. Gentleman’s question about…04 Feb 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Eighth sitting)Amendments 62, 63 and 64, in the names of the shadow Minister and the hon. Member for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, and amendment 86, which was tabled by the hon. Members for…30 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Eighth sitting)That is not something that we are currently considering, but the shadow Minister’s point will be recorded in Hansard . The Department for Education is responsible for driving high…30 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Eighth sitting)I know that my hon. Friend has been meeting home educators in her own local authority area who have had a difficult relationship with Portsmouth city council. I know that she will…30 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Eighth sitting)I thank my hon. Friend for her intervention. These measures are proportionate and are to ensure that every child is kept safe. I welcomed the comments from the shadow Minister…30 Jan 2025