-
Minister informed the House about exam results for GCSE, AS and A-level students due to cancelled exams this year. He explained that estimated grades were awarded to ensure fairness and robustness in grading systems. The Minister also discussed support measures like an autumn exam series and extra opportunities for vocational qualifications. Additionally, he highlighted safety protocols in place for schools' reopening including strict hygiene, PPE distribution, and social distancing.
-
The Secretary of State apologises for the late statement and welcomes Labour's priority to see all children return to school. He addresses concerns about students not receiving centre assessment grades by introducing an autumn series of exams and discusses measures in place for higher education and further education sectors, including increased funding, extra capacity in medicine and dentistry places, and a £1 billion catch-up fund. Additionally, he announces the postponement of exam dates as suggested by Labour's position.
-
The Member suggests an urgent assessment or benchmarking of all children in school to determine learning gaps and inform the Government’s decision on when exams should be rescheduled for next year, highlighting millions of children who have not been learning during lockdowns.
-
Defends the UK Government's handling of A-level results and adherence to scientific advice. Mentions that over 1.6 million children returned to school before summer holidays in England. Acknowledges criticism regarding masks but argues Scottish decision was political, not science-based.
-
Asks about steps being taken by the Department for Education to help children catch up on their education, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
-
Announces £1 billion covid catch-up fund aimed at helping all pupils, particularly those from the most deprived backgrounds. Highlights that £350 million is targeted to support children who need it the most.
-
Expresses concern over claims for exceptional costs by schools since March and questions what will happen when this support is cut off.
-
Reiterates the £14.4 billion increase in school funding over three years which he says will have a truly beneficial effect on every pupil across the country.
-
Compliments the Secretary of State for his efforts to manage an evolving situation and asks about a study showing that risks from covid-19 are tiny, suggesting benefits outweigh any risk from children returning to school.
-
Agrees with the study's findings, emphasising the importance of education for physical and mental health as well as academic achievements.
-
Questions how closely UK Governments worked together regarding policy on A-level results fiasco.
-
Responds that there was a common political consensus across the United Kingdom regarding calculated grades and moderation within the system for fairness.
-
Pays tribute to the Secretary of State for his guidance in leading many pupils back to school, highlighting that judgments need to be made at local levels due to varying circumstances.
-
Acknowledges the point about varying pressures on schools depending on their size and location. Emphasises guidance's role in supporting teachers and headteachers to ensure safe school environments.
-
Expresses concern over costs of making schools covid-secure and questions if the Government could meet these full costs without impacting support for disadvantaged students.
-
Reiterates increases in school budgets over three academic years as part of one of the most generous settlements by any Department.
-
Congratulates the Secretary of State for efforts to get children back into schools and asks about guidance on extending the school day to catch up on missed education content.
-
Announces £1 billion covid catch-up fund aimed at helping all pupils. Mentions advice from Education Endowment Foundation regarding extending school day or providing weekend provision for additional support.
-
Questions the Government about their equality impact assessment during the process of deciding on the grading approach, given concerns that disadvantaged schools were hit hardest by the algorithm.
-
The Secretary of State for Education addressed concerns about the disadvantages faced by certain communities due to predicted grades. He highlighted the Government's focus on ensuring disadvantaged children are not further disadvantaged. He also spoke about working with the Education Endowment Foundation to implement tutorials that can deliver rapid learning improvements within a few months. Williamson acknowledged that while there might be trepidation, returning to school brings immense benefits and helps in catching up academically. He confirmed that the national tutoring fund and catch-up premium will begin benefiting children immediately this academic year.
-
Asked about the Government's efforts to support disadvantaged pupils, particularly boys and those from ethnic minority backgrounds. She inquired when tutorials with the Education Endowment Foundation would start and what benefits children would see.
-
Presented new research indicating that 98% of teachers believe pupils are behind where they should be. He asked for details on when pupils will receive additional support from the catch-up premium and national tutoring fund.
-
Paid tribute to staff preparing for children's return to school safely. Asked about specific measures to support students with special educational needs in mainstream schools.
-
Asked when BTEC students would receive their grades and what steps were being taken to ensure these students' life chances were not compromised.
-
Celebrated the reopening of schools, despite concerns about face mask use. He emphasised the importance of keeping evidence under review for a safe learning environment without encumbrance on education.
-
Asked about discussions with the Treasury regarding funding for universities to cope with the lack of international students and increased costs due to regrading. He questioned the Secretary of State's statement on face masks in light of WHO guidance.
-
Inquired about remote learning provision for pupils during partial lockdowns, where attendance is by rota.
-
Asked how the Government intended to provide additional support for students who wish to sit exams and bring up their grades through no fault of their own. He asked if exam fees would be covered by the government.
-
Suggested setting minimum quality thresholds for remote learning in all schools, with additional funds for digital disadvantage to ensure equal opportunities across different schools and regions.
-
Acknowledges the importance of ensuring continuity in education during disruptions. Defends against accusations of postcode discrimination in exam results downgrades. Assures BTEC students will receive their grades once necessary information is gathered. Supports mental health funding for children returning to school. Highlights measures such as skills toolkit and packages to aid furloughed workers in gaining new skills. Emphasises fairness across year groups regarding competition between different years' exam results.
-
Raises concerns about the impact of downgraded exam results on young people's futures, particularly those awaiting BTEC grades. Accuses the Secretary of State of causing emotional distress and demands a timeline for grade releases.
-
Inquires about measures to support children's mental health as they return to school post-pandemic.
-
Questions the Secretary of State on opportunities for mature students in further and higher education amid expected job losses due to the end of the furlough scheme.
-
Highlights potential challenges of exam fairness between this year's cohort and next year's as universities grapple with a sudden influx of applications.
-
Critiques the Scottish Conservatives' stance on supporting a motion of no confidence in the Scottish Education Secretary despite following similar policies to the UK's approach.
-
Requests urgent resolution regarding funding negotiations between medical/dental schools and the Department of Health, stressing the importance of providing certainty for students about their course starts.
-
Raises concerns over research indicating a 46% increase in educational inequality gaps. Criticises delays and discrepancies in laptop provision to disadvantaged children.
-
Suggests revisiting Ofqual's rejection of increased optionality in written exams for next year, arguing it would help those who did not complete their full syllabus.
-
Advocates for a more formal structure to engage UK education ministers across all four nations for better crisis management and preparedness.
-
Expressed concern about the attainment gap emerging between affluent and disadvantaged pupils in her constituency.
-
Announced a £1 billion covid catch-up fund to address learning disparities for disadvantaged students. Emphasised close collaboration with Public Health England on testing and safety measures. Highlighted the importance of holiday activity programmes and pledged support for similar initiatives in future.
-
Asked about engagement between the Department for Education and Scottish Government regarding school testing to prevent a potential surge in demand like Scotland's recent experience.
-
Visited Inspire Suffolk to see their holiday programme and welcomed DFE funding enabling them to run 1,700 sessions across Suffolk. Asked the Secretary of State to commit support for charities aiding disadvantaged pupils catch up after school closures.
-
Asked about departures in senior positions within the Department for Education related to exam debacle and sought clarification on when responsibility was recognised.
-
Commended schools for full return after lockdowns, requested outlines of contingency plans for future localised outbreaks that would not restrict attendance in education.
-
Critiqued the Secretary of State's handling of summer’s exam fiasco and suggested political decisions influenced the issue rather than bureaucratic oversight, demanding responsibility be taken.
-
Highlighted her passion for narrowing the attainment gap and inquired about plans to ensure equal opportunities for all children regardless of background.
-
Cited research showing an increase in the attainment gap during the pandemic, suggesting a recovery curriculum with adjusted assessments should be implemented to avoid entrenching inequalities.
-
Welcomed funding for 16-to-19 providers but pointed out anomalies regarding funding discrepancies between two-year and three-year students in sixth-form colleges, asking for rectification of this issue.
-
Expressed appreciation for efforts made by staff and local councils to support children during the pandemic and requested steps being taken to assist children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in returning to school.
-
I thank the Secretary of State for his statement. Will those who are leaving the Chamber please take care? The sitting is suspended for three minutes.