← Back to feed
Georgia Gould
LAB✓ Current MP
🏛️ Queen's Park and Maida Vale
📅 2024–2026
172 speeches on Hansard record
⚠️ Votes attended: 66.50% (#391 of 650 MPs)
🟢 Rebelled against party: 0.00%
🤝 Member of 1 All-Party Parliamentary Groups
Written Answers
← Back to speeches
Department for Education
Recalculating benefits for retired members is a complex process. For those members retiring, these cases are relatively straightforward, as no benefits are already in payment. For retired members, additional complications around tax, interest rules and system functionality required extensive…
View full answer ↗
The department recently announced £26 million investment to train at least 200 new educational psychologists per year, starting in 2026 and 2027. This is set to be followed by further investment from 2028 to train more educational psychologists than we currently do, subject to future spending…
View full answer ↗
Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.The department is committed to revitalising arts education in schools, including changes to the curriculum, qualifications, accountability and enrichment.We are consulting on an improved Progress 8 model,…
View full answer ↗
The department’s Plan for Change commits us to recruiting an additional 6,500 new expert teachers across secondary and special schools and our colleges over the course of this Parliament.In 2023/24, just 17% of the postgraduate initial teacher training target for physics trainees was met. In…
View full answer ↗
Ofqual, as the independent regulator of qualifications, is responsible for ensuring the exams system is fair and accessible for all students. It has published guidance for awarding organisations to follow when designing qualifications, setting clear expectations around accessible language, layout,…
View full answer ↗
It is this government’s mission is to break down barriers to opportunity, ensuring every child benefits from high-quality PE and school sports. The new PE and School Sport Partnerships, announced last June by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, will ensure that all children have equal…
View full answer ↗
School funding is increasing nationally by £1.7 billion in 2026/27, meaning that the core school budget will total £67 billion compared to £65.3 billion in 2025/26.Southampton and Hampshire local authorities allocate school funding for the constituency of Eastleigh. Through the…
View full answer ↗
I refer the hon. Member for Brighton Pavilion to my answer of 12 February 2026 to Question 111335.
View full answer ↗
The Service Pupil Premium (SPP) is additional funding for state-funded schools in England with children and young people of service families. It will be paid at a rate of £360 per eligible pupil in the 2026/27 financial year.Schools can tailor their SPP expenditure to meet the specific…
View full answer ↗
The department notes the recent National Foundation for Educational Research report, which highlights some improvement in the competitiveness of teachers’ pay.The department values all teachers, which is why we have delivered two above inflation awards that, combined, will mean all…
View full answer ↗
The government is committed to ensuring that all children and young people across England can access a variety of enrichment opportunities at school as part of our mission to break down barriers to opportunity.A new Enrichment Framework will be published this academic year. It will set out…
View full answer ↗
The government’s ambition is for every child and young person to receive a rich and broad, inclusive and innovative education, and that the whole curriculum reflects our modern society and diverse communities.The science curriculum provides a broad and flexible framework that allows schools…
View full answer ↗
Information regarding GCSE and A level student counts by local authority is published by the department in the ‘Key stage 4 performance’ and ‘A level and other 16 to 18 results’ statistical releases. Data is published from 2018/19 to 2024/25.The requested data for GCSE…
View full answer ↗
On Monday 23 February, we launched a full 12‑week consultation on our special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms because we want to hear directly from people across the country who have an interest in these reforms.To do that, we are building on our national conversation and…
View full answer ↗
The response to Written Parliamentary Question 112455 was published on 20 March 2026.
View full answer ↗
I refer the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole to the answer of 3 March 2026 to Question 115068.
View full answer ↗
Statutory tests and assessments at primary school help measure the attainment of pupils in relation to the standards set out in the national curriculum and help teachers and parents identify where pupils may need additional support in a certain subject area.The key stage 2 tests are subject to…
View full answer ↗
To achieve this, we will work with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), and NHS England to enable better information sharing between health professionals and local authorities. This will speed up the process of matching children to the right specialist provision package and create a…
View full answer ↗
Data shows that a significant Attainment 8 gap between selective grammar schools in Gloucester and non-selective schools, with a 30+ point gap between the highest (Denmark Road, 72.9) and lowest scoring (Gloucester Academy, 36.6) schools. Grammar schools drive the locally authority average (50.3…
View full answer ↗
Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only. Measures are in place to limit and reduce class sizes, particularly for younger children. Legislation caps the size of an infant class at 30 pupils per qualified teacher. Infant classes are those in which…
View full answer ↗
Where a child or young person with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) has an education, health and care (EHC) plan, the local authority must secure the special educational provision specified in the plan. The allocation of top-up funding to the school or college often helps secure…
View full answer ↗
I refer the hon. Member for Isle of Wight East to the answer of 23 March 2026 to Question 121270.
View full answer ↗
I refer the hon. Member for Isle of Wight East to the answer of 23 March 2026 to Question 121271.
View full answer ↗
As part of our new investment, schools will be able to access support, advice, training and specialist expertise from professionals such as speech and language therapists, educational psychologists, occupational therapists and specialist teachers. These experts will work directly with school staff…
View full answer ↗
I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Sheffield Hallam to the answer of 26 February 2026 to Question 109848
View full answer ↗
The government is providing substantial, targeted investment to help local areas grow and strengthen their specialist workforce. Over the next three years, £1.8 billion will be made available to local area partnerships to develop and rollout of the Experts at Hand offer.Local area…
View full answer ↗
On 23 February, we published two major documents: the ‘Every Child Achieving and Thriving’ Schools White Paper and the SEND Consultation Document. Together, these set out our plans to build an education system that will ensure that children and young people with special educational…
View full answer ↗
The department recognises the importance of speaking and listening skills, which has been very clearly set out by the recent Curriculum and Assessment Review. As part of our English curriculum reform, we will make sure that communication skills inherent in curriculum subjects are more clearly…
View full answer ↗
The number of state-funded secondary schools with resourced provision or special educational needs units, as of January 2025, was 485. This represents 14% of all state-funded secondary schools.
View full answer ↗
The response to Written Parliamentary Questions 88735, 88736 and 88737 was published on 18 March 2026.
View full answer ↗
Since July 2024, this government has taken targeted action to boost teacher supply. This work started with our reset of the relationship with the sector, to re-establish teaching as an attractive profession, making it one that existing teachers want to remain in, former teachers want to return to,…
View full answer ↗
All children and young people should have every opportunity to succeed. Our mission is to make this a reality across the country, including in former coalfield areas.We’re investing £9.5 billion into early years next year to help families access affordable high-quality childcare places…
View full answer ↗
As part of their duty to teach a broad and balanced curriculum, schools are expected to offer a range of subject options to help meet the aspirations of all pupils.On 23 February, the department published a consultation which includes proposals to improve the Progress 8 model to maintain a strong…
View full answer ↗
The ‘Every Child Achieving and Thriving’ White Paper sets out our plans to build a system that supports every child to achieve and thrive.It sets a clear path to raising standards and broadens children’s education. This includes a refreshed curriculum, improved transitions and an…
View full answer ↗
Nationally, mainstream school funding allocated through the dedicated schools grant (DSG) is increasing by 2.6% per pupil, from £6,608 in 2025/26 to £6,778 in 2026/27. This brings total funding for mainstream schools through the DSG schools block to £50.5 billion in 2026/27. This…
View full answer ↗
The department is committed to improving support for all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including pupils with speech and language needs.Courses must incorporate the minimum entitlement set out in the Initial Teacher Training and Early Career…
View full answer ↗
The Inclusive Mainstream Fund provides £1.6 billion in funding, over three years, to schools, colleges and early years settings to deliver an improved inclusion offer.The department will soon publish methodology documents to explain how the funding will be distributed for the three phases. The…
View full answer ↗
Play is an essential part of children’s physical, social and cognitive development, as recognised in the early years foundation stage statutory framework. All education settings, from early years to further education, can register with the National Education Nature Park which provides free…
View full answer ↗
A well supported, high-quality education workforce is critical to our mission to break down the barriers to opportunity for children and young people, which is why recruiting and retaining our expert teachers is at the heart of the government’s Plan for Change. Detailed plans on how we will…
View full answer ↗
The details of the chair of trustees and the accounting officer (CEO) of a multi-academy trust must be recorded on the Get Information About Schools service at: https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk. The department does not hold comparative data on the numbers of accounting officers who…
View full answer ↗
The department does not collect or hold information about the number of schools who have their own minibus.
View full answer ↗
The department will continue to work closely with the Department of Health and Social Care as well as NHS England to ensure that special educational needs and disabilities reforms are co-ordinated across education and health, and local leaders are supported to manage the transition effectively.The…
View full answer ↗
Pregnant women and new mothers have enhanced protections against redundancy dismissals, which cover the pregnancy period, the time spent on maternity leave, and a return-to-work period. The protections give those employees priority for being offered suitable and alternative roles if any are…
View full answer ↗
The department will strengthen the voices of children, young people, and parent carers making it easier for them to access clear advice and practical support from government, both locally and nationally.This includes involving them in local area plans and in holding services to account so that they…
View full answer ↗
There will be a statutory duty on schools and colleges to produce an Individual Support Plan (ISP) for every child or young person receiving targeted or specialist support, ensuring help keeps pace with their development, prevents challenges from escalating, and reduces the risk of them disengaging…
View full answer ↗
The department is investing over £200 million over the course of this Parliament to upskill staff in every school, college and nursery, ensuring a skilled workforce for generations to come. This significant investment, forms a central pillar of the…
View full answer ↗
Schools must decide how to best support children’s transitions from the early years foundation stages (EYFS) phase into key stage 1. Some schools continue elements of the pedagogical approach of the EYFS into Year 1 to enable a gradual transition. The EYFS Profile Assessment at the end of…
View full answer ↗
The Education Act 1996 requires local authorities to arrange free home-to-school travel for eligible children. A child’s eligibility is not affected by any further benefits or allowances they or their parents may receive.The department does not collect or hold information about the number of…
View full answer ↗
The department values the contribution schools with a religious character make to a diverse school system, and it is important faith schools can set admissions criteria that work for their local circumstances.As a minimum, faith schools must give priority to looked after children and previously…
View full answer ↗
This government is committed to tackling recruitment and retention challenges and supporting teachers to stay in the profession and thrive.The recent Schools White Paper announced our commitment to fund improvements to maternity pay for school and college teachers, leaders and support staff. From…
View full answer ↗
Schools and colleges have a critical role to play in protecting children and keeping them safe. Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE), available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education--2, is the statutory guidance that all schools and colleges must…
View full answer ↗
The department recently announced an investment of £15 million to establish new speech and language therapist (SaLT) advanced practitioners in every integrated care board geographical area, to get more SaLTs working in educational settings. These advanced practitioners will be qualified speech…
View full answer ↗
The government is committed to supporting a broad and balanced curriculum that is inclusive and accessible to all pupils. The study of classics and ancient languages can teach pupils valuable lessons in history, politics and art that are still relevant today. All schools are free to include Latin,…
View full answer ↗
The responsibility for monitoring adherence to the agency fee caps, and all requirements of the framework agreement, sits with Crown Commercial Service (CCS). As part of the framework terms and conditions, agencies must provide data reporting, with potential consequences of non-compliance resulting…
View full answer ↗
The department attaches great importance to the handling of correspondence from parliamentarians. Correspondence often raises complex and serious concerns, as it has in this instance, and as a department we aim to provide high quality, tailored responses to the points raised. I can confirm that a…
View full answer ↗
The department publishes data on entry and attainment for students at the end of 16 to 18 study. For the 2024/25 academic year, the latest for which data is available, 79 students in schools or colleges in Knowsley were at the end of 16 to 18 study, of which 3 (3.8%) had entered A levels.However,…
View full answer ↗
In line with the Cabinet Office May 2026 elections guidance, during the three weeks preceding local authority elections, the department will take special care in relation to decisions, announcements and other public actions which could have a bearing on the elections.
View full answer ↗
New National Inclusion Standards will set out evidence-based tools, strategies and approaches for educators to draw on to identify and support children and young people with additional needs. This will include evidence for targeted support to address barriers to learning and participation related…
View full answer ↗
Speech and language therapists (SaLTs) break down communication barriers, but too often, children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) wait too long to receive support from them.As part of our new £1.8 billion investment, schools will be able to access…
View full answer ↗
I refer my hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham to the answer of 20 March 2026 to Question 112455.
View full answer ↗
The department is exploring the implications of all local government reorganisation proposals, including those for Cambridgeshire. When decisions have been made, we will assess the impact of those plans on future dedicated schools grant allocations, and on the allocations of other grants designed…
View full answer ↗
The department recognises that continuous improvement is essential to transform the training and support for all new teachers. That is why we are committing to a full review of the delivery of the Early Career Teacher Entitlement, including the framework content of the Initial Teacher…
View full answer ↗
The target was calculated using the Teacher Workforce Model and accounts for the following, among other factors: projected pupil numbers, teachers that are expected to leave service and require replacement, and teachers we expect to join from routes other than postgraduate initial teacher…
View full answer ↗
As part of the consultation on the government’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms, I recently attended a roundtable hosted by the Armed Forces Community All-Party Parliamentary Group. I met representatives from armed forces families and the charities that support them…
View full answer ↗
The department fully recognises the importance of ensuring that any structural changes to local government protect the safety, wellbeing, and life chances of children and young people. The department is already working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)…
View full answer ↗
Over £26 million of targeted funding was allocated in 2025/26 to help schools in England support their Service pupils, through the Service Pupil Premium. The rate increased to £350 per eligible pupil in 2025, reflecting the department’s commitment to recognising the unique…
View full answer ↗
The distribution of additional funding for schools in the Inclusive Mainstream Fund for the 2026/27 financial year will be confirmed shortly.
View full answer ↗
The Schools White Paper launched Mission North East and Mission Coastal. The aim of the missions is to transform outcomes for children and young people and provide a blueprint for national change. The scope of Mission Coastal is still being developed.
View full answer ↗
The Curriculum and Assessment Review considered the extent to which the curriculum and the assessment system in England is fit for purpose and meeting the needs of children and young people. The government’s response set out key reforms to the national curriculum that we will be taking…
View full answer ↗
The response to Written Parliamentary Question 105314 was published on 20 March 2026.
View full answer ↗
The department knows the important role that special educational needs co-ordinators (SENCOs) play in driving inclusive practice across settings and building a culture where every child can achieve and the thrive. However, we recognise the challenges that the SENCO role currently involves,…
View full answer ↗
High quality teaching is the in-school factor that has the biggest positive impact on a child’s outcomes. This is why the government’s Plan for Change is committed to recruiting an additional 6,500 new expert teachers across secondary and special schools, and our colleges, over the…
View full answer ↗
Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.The department is seeing real progress. On top of an increase of 2,346 teachers (full-time equivalent) in secondary and special schools between 2023/24 and 2024/25, the future pipeline is also looking…
View full answer ↗
Education is a devolved matter, and this response relates to state-funded schools in England only.On 5 November 2025, the government issued the response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review, setting out the changes that will be made to the national curriculum, as well as reforms to…
View full answer ↗
Since issuing the improvement notice to Derbyshire County Council in January 2025, the department is regularly and closely monitoring and tracking outcomes against Derbyshire’s local area partnership’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) improvement plan, including the…
View full answer ↗
Better retention of teachers and leaders keeps the skills and expertise they have developed in classrooms, underpinning high quality education for every child.In our ’6,500 additional teachers’ delivery plan, the department set out it’s focus for delivery across three key themes:…
View full answer ↗
The department is working closely with the scheme administrator to process Remediable Service Statements (RSSs) as quickly and efficiently as possible. Several factors have affected the original delivery timeline, including technical dependencies, regulatory requirements, coordination with external…
View full answer ↗
The department is committed to ensuring the exam system is equitable for all students and that students with disabilities, including dyslexia, can access exams and assessments without disadvantage.Ofqual, the independent regulator of exams and assessments in England, has a statutory duty to ensure…
View full answer ↗
Section 5 of the Academies Act 2010 requires maintained schools to consult appropriate persons on whether the school should convert to academy status before the conversion goes ahead. This does not apply to schools that are eligible for intervention.In the ‘Every Child Achieving and…
View full answer ↗
Recalculating retired members’ benefits is a complex process. For members retiring, these cases are relatively straightforward as no benefits are already in payment. For retired members, additional complications around tax, interest rules and system functionality required extensive…
View full answer ↗
We are revising the national curriculum following the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review. We will make citizenship compulsory in key stages 1 and 2 so that primary aged children are introduced to key content on media literacy, financial literacy, law and rights, democracy and government,…
View full answer ↗
I refer the hon. Member for North East Hampshire to the answer of 21 January 2026 to Question 103065.
View full answer ↗
To ensure all local authorities have the capacity to undertake meaningful transformation planning and delivery over this spending review period while maintaining current special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services, we will provide £200 million in support for the transformation…
View full answer ↗
Every child deserves an education that meets their needs, one that is academically stretching, where every child feels like they belong, and that sets them up for life and work.Driving inclusion in schools will improve outcomes for all children. Our reforms will restore parents’ trust in the…
View full answer ↗
The department’s assessment of the impact of pressures on the outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is available in our consultation document ‘SEND Reform: putting children and young people first’, published 23 February.
View full answer ↗
By law, all maintained schools are required to have a capabilities policy, which sets out disciplinary and grievance procedures in the workplace. As employers, all schools and trusts must follow all aspects of employment law and equalities legislation in employment decisions. They should ensure…
View full answer ↗
The department does not hold information or data on the availability of Communication Support Workers, or their qualification levels in British Sign Language.However, all education and training providers, as well as other related service providers, have duties under the Equality Act 2010 towards…
View full answer ↗
The ‘Every Child Achieving and Thriving’ Schools White Paper and the SEND Consultation Document set out our plans to build an education system that ensures children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) get the right support at every stage of their…
View full answer ↗
Initial teacher training (ITT) bursaries are offered to incentivise more applications to ITT courses. As such, we review bursaries annually to take account of several factors, including recruitment to date, forecast economic conditions, and teacher supply need in each subject. Between the 2023/24…
View full answer ↗
My right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister announced on 19 June 2025 that the government will establish a new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network to ensure all children and young people have access to high-quality PE and extracurricular sport, helping young people develop an interest in sport…
View full answer ↗
All state funded schools are required to teach first aid as part of the statutory health education set out in the Relationships, Sex and Health education (RSHE) statutory guidance. Independent schools are required to cover health education as part of their responsibility to provide personal,…
View full answer ↗
As of 11 March 2026, 501 cash equivalent transfer value (CETV) cases were outstanding. There will always be a number of CETV cases in progress at any given time, as new CETV applications continue to be made.Capita, the scheme administrator, is continuing to work through the most complex cases for…
View full answer ↗
Great teaching is the most important lever schools have for improving children’s attainment.The department provides a range of funded offers to schools to help them access high-quality professional development, which includes the new courses on Reception and special educational needs and…
View full answer ↗
The department is reviewing all local government reorganisation (LGR) proposals to consider the potential impact on education and children’s services, including plans to reform special educational needs and disabilities provision. Huntingdonshire is in tranche three of the LGR process and the…
View full answer ↗
Officials in the department engaged with the Department for Transport when developing the updated Relationships Sex and Health Education guidance.The updated guidance, published in July 2025 has a new section on personal safety which includes how to recognise risk and keep safe around roads. The…
View full answer ↗
On 23 February, we published the ‘Every Child Achieving and Thriving’ White Paper, alongside a ‘SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First’ consultation. We announced an investment of over £40 million to increase support available from speech and language…
View full answer ↗
The government has announced plans to address deficits through making available the High Needs Stability Grant, which will cover 90% of all local authorities‘ high needs dedicated schools grant (DSG) deficits accumulated to the end of the 2025/26 financial year, subject to the authority…
View full answer ↗
The department has not made such an assessment.However, in line with the Cabinet Office May 2026 elections guidance, during the three weeks preceding local authority elections the department takes special care in relation to announcements, including academy closures, and other public actions which…
View full answer ↗
For financial years 2022/23 to 2024/25, Oak National Academy (Oak) was allocated funding of £47 million. Any in-year underspend by Oak is returned to the department and reallocated to other education priorities, as with all other programmes.The government has publicly announced Oak’s…
View full answer ↗
The department’s £28.3 million funding will deliver a range of support for schools, including new training for primary schools, delivered through the English Hubs programme, to help children progress from the early stages of phonics through to reading fluently by the time they leave…
View full answer ↗
The government’s Plan for Change is committed to recruiting an additional 6,500 new expert teachers across secondary and special schools and our colleges over the course of this Parliament.In 2023/24, just 17% of the postgraduate initial teacher training target for physics trainees was met.…
View full answer ↗
I refer the hon. Member for Epping Forest to the answer of 28 November 2025 to Question 92868.
View full answer ↗
As of April 2025, 88% of pupils and learners and 76% of schools and colleges in Gloucester constituency were covered by a Mental Health Support Team (MHST), compared to 52% of pupils and learners and 41% of schools and colleges nationally. Further data for 2024/25 can be found here:…
View full answer ↗
The department is providing targeted help for Cambridgeshire, including a specialist special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) adviser and sector-led improvement support from Islington Council. Officials collect monthly data on Cambridgeshire’s education, health and care plan…
View full answer ↗
I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Manchester Rusholme, to the answer of 03 March 2026 to Question 115304.
View full answer ↗
The government is committed to creating opportunities for all children so that they can achieve and thrive. The department’s home-to-school travel policy aims to make sure that no child is prevented from accessing education by a lack of transport. Local authorities are responsible for…
View full answer ↗
We are investing at least £3.7 billion in high needs capital funding between 2025/26 and 2029/30 to support local authorities to provide places for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), or who require alternative provision. This funding is expected…
View full answer ↗
The department will work closely with colleagues at the Department for Health and Social Care and with parents and carers, to develop a fast-track route to support children under five years old with the most complex special educational needs to access the support they and their families need to…
View full answer ↗
The majority of children and young with hearing impairments are already taught in mainstream schools and we aim to improve inclusivity and expertise in these schools further. In addition to requiring those teaching children with sensory impairment to hold the relevant Mandatory Qualification in…
View full answer ↗
Ofsted’s school inspection toolkit makes clear that inspectors will consider the extent to which special educational needs (SEN) information reports are easily accessible when gathering evidence about special education needs and disabilities (SEND).As set out in our proposals for SEND reform,…
View full answer ↗
Claims for national non-domestic rates for schools are processed on a reactive basis by the department, once all claims have been submitted for payment. Claims can be made and adjusted for up to six years, which means that levels of payment and reimbursement for the 2024/25 financial year will…
View full answer ↗
New burdens assessments are required when a department’s actions meet the government definition of a new burden, ensuring that the financial impact on local authorities is estimated for at least the first three years and fully funded by the relevant department.The Ministry of Defence will…
View full answer ↗
The department and HM Treasury discuss matters relating to school funding on an ongoing basis. These conversations are supported by government analysis relating to school funding, some of which is in the public domain.
View full answer ↗
I refer the hon. Member for Rutland and Stamford to the answer of 3 March 2026 to Question 115304.
View full answer ↗
The department has set out plans for a reformed special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system in the recent Schools White Paper. The department's assessment of future SEND spending will be updated following the SEND consultation.We have set out plans to address high needs deficits up to…
View full answer ↗
There are 46 key stage 4 Technical Awards, which pupils can take alongside GCSEs. These qualifications cover broad sector areas such as health and social care, building and construction and support the development of knowledge and practical skills.In 2024/25, 45% of students in state-funded schools…
View full answer ↗
The ‘Every Child Achieving and Thriving’ White Paper sets out plans to build on support at home with a stretching, enriching and inclusive school experience to ensure every child has what they need to get on in life.We know that many schools use their pupil premium to fund tuition.…
View full answer ↗
The department has set out plans for a reformed special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system in the recent Schools White Paper. Our assessment of future SEND spending will be updated following the SEND consultation. From 2028/29, SEND spending will be covered by the overall government…
View full answer ↗
We know unacceptable inequalities in outcomes exist across the country and at every phase of education.The ‘Every child achieving and thriving’ White Paper establishes our plan to improve the outcomes of all children, building on support at home with a stretching, enriching and…
View full answer ↗
As set out in the department’s Schools White Paper, it is vital that children are supported to become digitally literate and confident users of technology. We must strike a healthy balance between preparing young people for a technologically enabled world, whilst not compromising on safety.We…
View full answer ↗
We will publish methodology documents to explain the funding distribution of the Inclusive Mainstream Fund for early years settings, schools and 16-19 institutions in the spring.In our recent publication 'SEND reform: putting children and young people first', we explained we will hold settings and…
View full answer ↗
Comparisons of the average cost of placements in different types of special school can be made at national level. The data collected on relevant local and central government expenditure is not differentiated on the basis of pupil needs, placement complexity or length of placement.
View full answer ↗
The Curriculum and Assessment Review considered the extent to which the curriculum and the assessment system in England is fit for purpose and meeting the needs of children and young people. The government’s response set out key reforms to the national curriculum that we will be taking…
View full answer ↗
The High Needs Stability Grant is concerned with historic spending and will have no impact on pressures in 2028/29. From the 2028/29 financial year, the government has confirmed that special educational needs and disabilities pressure will be absorbed within the overall government departmental…
View full answer ↗
For maintained special schools and special academies, the department uses local authorities’ actual expenditure on high needs top-up funding, to which is added the £10,000 per place funding using pupil numbers from the January school census, divided by those pupil numbers to produce an…
View full answer ↗
The department has carried out market engagement with the sector, and we are using feedback from this to inform our invitation to tender. We will launch procurement for a national delivery partner to run the Partnerships Network shortly.The government has confirmed funding for the School Games…
View full answer ↗
In the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) consultation, the department set out our ambition that, in time, every secondary school will have an inclusion base. In every year of this parliament, core funding for schools and SEND is expected to increase, subject to future spending…
View full answer ↗
The government has set out plans to address deficits up to the end of 2025/26, providing grants to cover 90% of each council’s deficit once they have produced and received approval for a strong plan to drive sustained and energetic action in accordance with our new system set out in the…
View full answer ↗
In partnership with NHS England, the department has extended the Early Language and Support for Every Child (ELSEC) programme for the 2025/26 academic year, trialling new ways of working to better identify and support children with speech, language and communication needs in early years settings…
View full answer ↗
The department has announced at least £3 billion for high needs capital between 2026/27 and 2029/30, which is intended to create facilities within mainstream schools that can deliver more flexible support adapted to suit the pupils’ needs, alongside expanding or creating special and…
View full answer ↗
The department monitors the relationship between workload and wellbeing through the ‘Working Lives of Teachers and Leaders’ study. Wave 4 shows improved wellbeing across all Office for National Statistics-validated personal wellbeing measures in 2025.In comparison with previous waves,…
View full answer ↗
Education is devolved, but the department collaborates with the Department of Education in Northern Ireland to share learning and improve standards. Ministers and officials meet throughout the year, including at the UK Education Ministers Council (UKEMC). My noble friend, the Minister for Skills,…
View full answer ↗
Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.High and rising standards across education, from early years to adulthood, are key to unlocking stronger outcomes and a better future for children and young people.To drive high standards across the PISA…
View full answer ↗
Arrangements for the funding of PE and sport in the 2026/27 academic year and future will be confirmed in due course.
View full answer ↗
I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Birmingham Edgbaston to the answer of 12 February 2026 to Question 111332.
View full answer ↗
To support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), we will help mainstream settings to make the necessary changes to embed inclusive practice. We will develop new National Inclusion Standards to bring greater clarity and evidence to this space. These will set out, for the…
View full answer ↗
Schools are not responsible for clinical healthcare tasks. Healthcare tasks can be delegated to staff in schools and other education settings where the responsible healthcare professional considers delegation safe and appropriate.The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the Health and Care…
View full answer ↗
High quality professional development is important for teachers at all stages of their careers, ensuring they receive appropriate support and can continually improve their practice. The department offers five leadership National Professional Qualifications (NPQs), which help boost teachers’…
View full answer ↗
Supporting the wellbeing of our expert education workforce is critical to this government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity for children and young people.The department tracks teacher wellbeing through the longitudinal study, the Working Lives of Teachers and…
View full answer ↗
High and rising school standards, with excellent foundations in reading and writing, are at the heart of the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life.The English Hubs programme supports the teaching of phonics, early language…
View full answer ↗
As set out in the Every Child Achieving and Thriving White Paper, we are placing collaboration at the heart of the system by moving to all schools being part of school trusts, which are rooted in their community and equipped to innovate for all children. To help achieve this, we have committed to…
View full answer ↗
Effective early identification and intervention is critical in improving the outcomes of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Access to support should not be dependent on a child or young person having a diagnosis, and a diagnosis alone does not help a…
View full answer ↗
The department takes the wellbeing and mental health of teachers very seriously. We have worked with the sector to develop the Education Staff Wellbeing Charter which sets out commitments from the department, Ofsted, schools and colleges to protect and promote staff wellbeing. The charter can be…
View full answer ↗
The department has published detailed plans on how we will recruit and retain more teachers in our 6,500 additional teachers delivery plan, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/every-child-achieving-and-thriving. Better retention of teachers and leaders keeps the…
View full answer ↗
Ministers in the Department for Education have regular discussions with officials, external experts and ministerial colleagues on a range of issues, including national security, defence and resilience, and associated public communications. As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the national…
View full answer ↗
Physical activity is an important part of a healthy lifestyle that plays a role in tackling childhood obesity.Too many children and young people do not meet the Chief Medical Officer’s recommendation of 60 minutes of daily physical activity. The department is taking action to ensure all…
View full answer ↗
The department is committed to improving support for all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including pupils with speech and language needs.Courses must incorporate the minimum entitlement set out in the Initial Teacher Training and Early Career…
View full answer ↗
We recognise the importance of clear training routes to ensure schools have the skilled teachers they need. The Teacher Degree Apprenticeship enables trainees to gain a full undergraduate degree alongside Qualified Teacher Status while working in a school.To be eligible, applicants must meet the…
View full answer ↗
The Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework (ITTECF) is universal and designed to work for all new teachers regardless of subject, phase, or school. Whilst the ITTECF underpins what all new teachers should learn, it is not a curriculum. Training providers and schools can design a…
View full answer ↗
On Wednesday 11 February, the department set out our ambition that, in time, every secondary school will have an inclusion base.Where new places are needed, this can be supported by the £3.7 billion in high needs capital that we are investing between 2025/26 and 2029/30. This funding is…
View full answer ↗
Following the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review we are revising the national curriculum. We will publicly consult from summer 2026, and fully implement the new full national curriculum for first teaching from September 2028. Our refreshed national curriculum will strengthen pupils’…
View full answer ↗
Young people have consistently expressed a strong desire for more education on climate change, nature and sustainability. Teachers have also highlighted that limited visibility and emphasis on climate topics in the national curriculum has made it difficult to develop effective provision in this…
View full answer ↗
The government is committed to creating opportunities for all children so that they can achieve and thrive. The department’s home-to-school travel policy aims to make sure that no child is prevented from accessing education by a lack of transport.The eligibility criteria are set out in the…
View full answer ↗
The department and NHS England work together to support and challenge local areas to improve their special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) service delivery where required. This includes monitoring, supporting and challenging any areas of identified weakness, both following an area SEND…
View full answer ↗
The government is committed to strengthening pupils’ foundational understanding of financial education in mathematics and citizenship following the publication of the Curriculum and Assessment Review's final report in November 2025. From budgeting to understanding credit, all children will…
View full answer ↗
In our consultation on special educational needs and disabilities, the department has set out our ambition that, in time, every secondary school will have an inclusion base.Where new places are needed, this will be supported by the £3.7 billion in high needs capital that we are investing…
View full answer ↗
The government set out its planned reforms to the special educational needs and disabilities system in the Schools White Paper published on 23 February 2026 here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/every-child-achieving-and-thriving.Further details on the distribution of that funding will…
View full answer ↗
The special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) teacher training offer comprises an investment of over £200 million over the course of this Parliament. This significant investment, forms a central pillar of the government’s SEND reform plans, helping to secure a fairer system where…
View full answer ↗
Improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream settings is a key part of the government’s ambition to ensure that all children and young people receive the support they need to achieve and thrive, in the most appropriate setting.The department has recently announced a new £200 million…
View full answer ↗
The department continues to work closely with The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership to ensure rapid and sustained improvement across its schools. This includes weekly meetings focused on stabilising learning and supporting both staff and pupils across the trust. Leadership and governance at the…
View full answer ↗
In December, the department announced at least £3 billion for high needs capital between 2026/27 and 2029/30 to support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities or who require alternative provision. This funding is intended to create facilities within…
View full answer ↗
Recalculating benefits for retired members is a complex process. For those members retiring, these cases are relatively straightforward as no benefits are already in payment. For retired members, additional complications around tax, interest rules and system functionality required extensive…
View full answer ↗
The Teachers’ Pensions Regulations currently provide for supply teachers to participate in the teachers’ pension scheme (TPS) where they are employed by a scheme employer. These are local authorities, academies and further education colleges. This includes supply teachers who are…
View full answer ↗
I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Bedford to the answer of 14 October 2025 to Question 77400.
View full answer ↗
The department does not have plans to publish in full the data held in the Longitudinal Education Outcomes database.The database contains the sensitive personal information of UK citizens. It would be a breach of the public trust and UK General Data Protection Regulations 2018 legislation to…
View full answer ↗
Since April 2022, most schools’ business rates are paid directly by the department to billing authorities. If all billing authorities in the local authority have not agreed to this system, academies make business rates payments and are reimbursed by the department.For both of these payment…
View full answer ↗
The department is committed to improving support for all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including pupils with dyslexia. In January, we announced the most ambitious SEND training offer ever seen in the English education system. Backed by £200…
View full answer ↗
The department’s model articles for academy trusts set out that a trustee who is employed by the academy trust shall not be eligible for election as chair or vice chair. The board holds the chief executive to account for the day to day running of the trust. To support transparency, the…
View full answer ↗
I refer the hon. Member for Farnham and Bordon to the answer provided on 26 February 2026 to Question 111782.
View full answer ↗
Retaining more skilled teachers is key to delivering our pledge to recruit 6,500 additional teachers. Our ‘Improve workload and wellbeing for school staff’ service, developed alongside school leaders, provides a range of resources for schools to review and reduce workload, and improve…
View full answer ↗
The government is committed to supporting modern foreign languages across schools, and across the languages pipeline. In our response to the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, we made a commitment to work with the sector to understand successful approaches to supporting the languages…
View full answer ↗
The requested information is not held by the department.
View full answer ↗
The Education Act is clear that schools and teachers must remain politically impartial. The department has published clear and comprehensive guidance which should help those working with and in schools to better understand legal duties on political impartiality. The guidance can be found here:…
View full answer ↗
The statutory duty to provide sufficient school places, including for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), sits with local authorities. To support this, the department has announced at least £3 billion of high needs capital funding for 2026/27 to 2029/30. We will…
View full answer ↗
Educational psychologists (EPs) play a critical role in supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). However, their capacity is often limited by high volumes of statutory assessments, compounding local authorities’ struggles with recruitment and…
View full answer ↗
The updated Relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education (RSHE) guidance is clear that children and young people should be taught about the risks associated with gambling, including the accumulation of debt. This guidance can be read in full…
View full answer ↗
Schools, academies and local authorities are responsible for the recruitment of their supply teachers, which includes deciding whether to use private supply agencies to fill temporary posts or cover teacher absence.A supply teacher’s pay and working conditions will depend on who employs the…
View full answer ↗
The department takes the wellbeing and mental health of teachers and school staff very seriously.We have worked with the sector to develop the Education Staff Wellbeing Charter which can be used to inform a whole school or college approach to wellbeing. Over 4,300 schools and colleges have signed…
View full answer ↗
We are making progress towards our pledge to recruit 6,500 additional teachers. The latest School Workforce Census reported 2,346 more secondary and special school teachers (FTE) in 2024/25 compared to 2023/24.The same publication also reported one of the lowest leaver rates in recent years, with…
View full answer ↗
All state funded schools are required to teach first aid as part of the statutory health education set out in the Relationships, Sex and Health education (RSHE) statutory guidance. Independent schools are required to cover health education as part of their responsibility to provide personal,…
View full answer ↗
Despite the challenging fiscal context, this government is taking action to restore teaching as the highly valued profession it should be. This includes prioritising pay with above inflation increases of almost 10% over two years.Our latest pay proposal of 6.5% over three years, when combined with…
View full answer ↗
The department’s ’Academy trust governance guide’ and ‘Academy trust handbook’ set out the role and responsibilities of the chair of trustees. The guidance also outlines the skills, expertise, and behaviours that any trustee needs for the board to carry out its…
View full answer ↗
Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.Local authorities are responsible for arranging home-to-school travel for eligible children and use a mix of in-house services, passes for free travel on public transport and contracts with private transport…
View full answer ↗
The current national curriculum includes topics relating to ecosystems, soil health, and climate adaptation within the context of UK food security, and they can also be studied at GCSE and A level.Work is now underway to deliver a new curriculum and assessment system that is ambitious for every…
View full answer ↗
High needs funding has increased by over £1 billion in the 2025/26 financial year and we are continuing that increased level of funding into next year. The vast majority of this funding is allocated by local authorities to schools, colleges and other settings, including for mainstream…
View full answer ↗
Somerset local authority allocates funding for schools in Yeovil constituency. The table below sets out the funding Somerset local authority has received through the schools block of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) since 2019/20. Due to changes in the way that funding is allocated, the department…
View full answer ↗
School and trust leaders are responsible for making decisions about staff in school and should follow employment law when carrying out their duties.The laws protecting whistleblowers also apply to teachers. Details of who can be a whistleblower, and what complaints fall under whistleblowing laws…
View full answer ↗
I refer the hon. Member for Yeovil, to the answer of 24 February 2026 to Question 112566.
View full answer ↗
Pupil premium and service pupil premium allocations, including at local authority level, can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pupil-premium-allocations-and-conditions-of-grant-2025-to-2026.The allocations amount in the 2025/26 financial year for Cambridgeshire thus far are…
View full answer ↗
The profit cap provisions in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill would apply in England to any non-local authority providers of children’s homes or fostering services, and subject to changing secondary legislation, supported accommodation. The government does not contract directly…
View full answer ↗
Education is a significant part of the cross-government strategy to keep women and girls safe, focusing on prevention by instilling early the values and skills needed to protect young people, disrupt dangerous attitudes, and stop harmful behaviours escalating.We have already overhauled the…
View full answer ↗
There is a full privacy statement included on the Education Record. This sets out what information the department collects, what they do with it and how it is shared. It also includes how analytics data are used and that personal data is only shared with education providers.
View full answer ↗
The special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) teacher training offer comprises an investment of over £200 million over the course of this Parliament. This significant investment forms a central pillar of the government’s SEND reform plans, helping to secure a fairer system where…
View full answer ↗
We know challenges in the SEND system are creating pressures on home-to-school travel. We will reform the SEND system to enable more children to thrive in local mainstream settings. This will mean fewer children need to travel long distances to access education, reducing the burden on local…
View full answer ↗
The department attaches great importance to the handling of correspondence from parliamentarians and is working to provide a response to the email from the hon. Member for Dorking and Horley.
View full answer ↗
We are committed to reforming the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system to deliver an excellent, inclusive education for every child and young person, with a world-class curriculum and highly trained, expert staff at every phase of learning. High needs funding for children and…
View full answer ↗
The government has made a commitment to strengthen pupils’ foundational understanding of financial education in mathematics and citizenship, with digital resources to support teaching. The department will engage with sector experts and young people in working out how best to reflect this in…
View full answer ↗
I refer the hon. Member for Richmond Park to the answer of 12 February 2026 to Question 111332.
View full answer ↗
The government is committed to tackling recruitment and retention challenges and supporting teachers to stay in the profession and thrive. We recognise women aged 30-39 are the largest group of leavers from the teacher workforce. To address this, we are taking action to promote and expand flexible…
View full answer ↗
The Children and Families Act 2014 and SEND regulations set out the detail that schools must include in special educational needs (SEN) information reports. The SEND Code of Practice states that schools should ensure that the information is easily accessible by young people and parents, and is set…
View full answer ↗