Educational Settings

The shadow education secretary welcomed the government's measures but questioned how they would be implemented. She sought clarity on several issues, including the provision of free school meals, support for children with disabilities and underlying health conditions, guidance for parents in isolation or at risk, protection of vulnerable staff members from work pressure, reassurances to casual contract workers, decisions regarding exams, support for childcare providers facing closure, guidance for higher education institutions, and resources for youth services. She urged the government to address these concerns and provide further statements on these matters.

Asked for flexibility in designating vulnerable children and key workers, suggesting schools work together where appropriate.

Expressed gratitude to staff in the education sector. Questioned on childcare support for frontline workers, free school meals during closures, and how exams will be scored without disruption from closures.

Acknowledged discussions with Scottish Government. Mentioned working group established with private nursery sector. Considered direct payments for free school meals via DWP in consultation with Scottish Govt. Engaged Universities UK on exam alternatives.

Asked for guidance and discretion for schools regarding childcare arrangements, particularly for workers who need to continue going to work.

Noted the impact on parents' ability to pay bills if their children cannot attend school due to closures.

Inquired about whether vulnerable children include those in need or on a child protection plan, which would significantly increase the number of children eligible for schooling under current measures.

Asked for clarification on A-levels and university admissions processes, highlighting the concerns of disadvantaged students regarding their future.

Called for clarity and support for private nurseries, emphasising that they are essential for parents, especially mothers, to return to work. She raised concerns about unequal assistance compared to pubs and retail sectors.

Pressed the Secretary of State for clear guidance on eligibility criteria for private nursery support and asked for clarity regarding non-local authority youth groups and clubs.

Asked about provisions for parents of children at special needs schools, who will face difficulties due to school closures.

Inquired if the voucher system would cover future eligibility changes due to economic downturns and emphasised that it had always been problematic for people to get on the right benefits to claim free school meals.

Asked about the guidance expected for A-level and GCSE students and how long they should expect before receiving precise information.

Requested more information on advice given to universities regarding international students and visa rules, expressing concern that online learning might lead to penalties for these students.

Asked about the definition of key workers and vulnerable children as mentioned by the Secretary of State and how society will exercise its duty of care towards them.

Raised concerns for constituents living in overcrowded households, where social distancing is impossible. Asked for guidance on what parents can do to look after children from Friday onwards while adhering to social distancing measures.

Asked for clarification regarding special educational needs schools and their status under the new guidelines. Also inquired about apprenticeships and eligibility criteria post-school closures.

Inquired about discussions with the Education Minister of Northern Ireland and requested assurances that these discussions will continue if there is a review of the decision.

Asked for involvement of teachers in decision-making processes regarding children without social workers or EHC plans. Suggested pressing for teachers and social workers to be included as key workers.

Acknowledged that teachers and social workers will be included as key workers. Emphasised the importance of following scientific advice to limit virus spread by reducing the number of children in educational settings. Acknowledged calls for flexibility but prioritised public health. Mentioned plans to look into a more conventional system for free school meals delivery. Addressed questions regarding special schools, childcare support, financial aid for parents, and GCSEs. Highlighted existing measures such as guaranteed funding for nurseries regardless of pupil numbers.

Welcomed the Secretary of State’s announcement about the voucher system but criticised its lack of detail, expressing concerns over how vouchers will be redeemed and their effectiveness in providing food to children living in poverty.

Asked for clarification on support for very special schools’ students during closures, highlighting the challenges faced by these students and their working parents.

Expressed concern about financial support for all parents in situations where work must be stopped to care for children. Asked if the Government will look at urgent financial aid or free childcare options.

Asked whether schools could open before the end of the year and raised concerns over defining key workers, particularly those in food distribution sectors.

Requested additional financial support for nurseries beyond the continuation of funded places, stressing the risk of staff layoffs if not provided quickly enough.

Expressed gratitude towards all those involved in keeping schools open and asked about rural areas' school transport provision.

Asked about the Department for Education’s helpline overwhelmed with questions and raised issues regarding EHCPs, suggesting that all pending applications should be granted immediately to support vulnerable children.

Inquired about plans for GCSEs and A-levels in light of school closures, asking how the emotional impact on students will be managed during this period.

Asked for guidance to councils regarding new measures announced by the Chancellor and questioned the support available for supply teachers who lack permanent contracts.

Asked the Secretary of State to urge the Prime Minister and Chancellor to address the economic impact on employees immediately by providing support for wages across the economy.

Expressed concerns about the lack of provisions in the statement for those sitting vocational assessments, further education students, and vulnerable children without EHCPs. Requested clarification on what constitutes 'vulnerable children' and the impact of school closures on them.

Asked whether children will continue receiving education during school closures, inquired about support for schools to deliver remote teaching, and asked how parents can assist with home learning.

Inquired about the payment status of various types of school staff including lunchtime supervisors, caretakers, and cleaners in light of the Secretary of State's statement on teacher payments.

Asked how young people will be persuaded to stay at home during school closures amid the social pressures they face.

Questioned whether preparations had been made for the closure of schools, asking about the list of key workers who can send their children to school next week or after Easter holidays.

Highlighted the willingness of independent education sectors to help and asked whether boarding schools will continue caring for remaining boarders, especially international ones.

Commented on the impact of exam cancellations on students' futures and inquired about the appeal process timeline regarding exam results.

Asked how schools can provide routine and educational support at home, and what the Department can do to promote existing education technology resources for parents.

Inquired about the status of special needs schools such as Gibside during school closures and requested support for staff at these institutions.

Asked what university students will pay for their tuition fees and whether there are plans to change the current fee system due to online learning during closures.

Discussed the impact of school closures on children in poverty, asking about free school meals and broadband access for students with home learning needs.

Discussed working with local authorities on meals for children and addressing the digital divide. Advised parents not to take advantage of grandparents who are more vulnerable due to age or underlying health conditions. Mentioned plans to publish further advice on A-levels next week and ongoing discussions with Universities UK to ensure fair university admissions. Acknowledged concerns about NHS staff and committed to ensuring hospital functions continue, even in Wolverhampton. Confirmed the Department's consideration of measures for children living in severely overcrowded conditions and invited further suggestions from MPs. Addressed ratios and class sizes issues by stating that flexibility may require changes in school attendance. Discussed financial support for universities affected by the pandemic, including those facing international student enrollment challenges. Noted plans to work with local education authorities and schools commissioners for flexible provision of education during the crisis.

Asked about the advice given regarding parents keeping children away from grandparents who are more vulnerable due to age or health conditions.

Inquired about details on alternative A-level assessments and updates on university admissions discussions with Universities UK to ensure fairness.

Expressed concerns about the implications of school closures for NHS staff capacity in hospitals like New Cross, Wolverhampton.

Requested a clear timetable on A-level and GCSE announcements to reassure students. Highlighted the problem of children living in severely overcrowded conditions and asked for information about support measures for vulnerable children.

Asked if children could continue attending their current school despite changes due to the virus spread, focusing on small schools like Zetland Primary School in Redcar.

Inquired about financial support for universities facing challenges due to reduced international student enrollment.

Asked if children of key workers in Kettering's six secondary schools would be educated within their current schools or combined into one educational setting.

Inquired about the continuation of free school meals for children currently entitled to them and asked what is expected from vouchers provided for this purpose.

Asked if emergency coronavirus legislation will allow schools flexibility in adapting to difficult times through disapplying certain restrictions and regulations.

Inquired about the status of early years settings, including childminders and nurseries, and asked for guarantees on staff pay if such settings close.

Asked about supporting vulnerable children through voluntary groups, suggesting breakfast clubs as a model.

Expressed concern over the impact of key workers being parents on employment rates. Urged prioritisation of community cafés for vouchers and raised concerns about online education provision in comparison to France. Highlighted the financial challenges faced by higher education institutions, specifically universities.

Welcomed measures reducing risk of virus spread while allowing NHS workers who are parents to stay on duty. Suggested schools could deliver packed lunches to homes of pupils on free school meals as a model for other schools.

Asked about direct support from the Government to higher education institutions, changes in student finance payments, decision-making processes regarding degrees, and support for international students.

Inquired about expected services during Easter holidays for vulnerable children and key workers’ children, suggesting engagement activities should be provided by schools.

Asked how the Secretary of State would support organisations like Feeding Bristol to facilitate meal distribution in individual places rather than collective settings during summer schemes.

Inquired about the process for organising school clusters, especially in central London, and who will take the lead—local authority or regional schools commissioner.

Called for a financial response to reduce additional strain on families, including income replacement suggestions. Suggested plans should set out support for the child protection workforce and conduct risk assessments of challenges faced by children in crisis.

Paid tribute to teachers’ work over the last few weeks. Inquired about reimbursement for additional costs incurred by schools providing free school meals post closure and requested priority access to supermarkets if voucher schemes are used.

Asked if schools will be supported to meet extra staffing costs due to the decision to care for key workers' children during Easter holidays, as many school support staff are term-time only employees.

Paid tribute to schools and Hull City Council’s plans for dealing with children receiving free meals in case of closure. Suggested increasing child benefit by £10 as a way to provide extra money into families.

Expressed concerns about nurseries in her constituency facing severe financial strain and unable to survive without fee income. Called for assurances from the Government to protect nursery workers' income during the crisis.

Announced that the government would continue guaranteeing funding to early years settings and nurseries regardless of roll numbers. Also mentioned plans for business rate relief to support nurseries during the crisis.

Welcomed provisions for key workers, including childcare commitments but expressed concern about funding gaps based on private top-up fees in nurseries. Asked the Secretary of State to provide more detail regarding bridging this gap and ensuring nursery staff are not laid off.

Asked for additional assistance for Ealing, which has suffered significant cuts under the current government. Inquired about the future of libraries, exams, sixth-form admissions based on predicted grades rather than actual results.

Raised concerns regarding the Chancellor's reassurances to creative industries that insurance companies would cover losses due to pandemics. Stressed the lack of clarity and anxiety over whether businesses could actually make claims under such policies.