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Covid-19: Education Settings
06 July 2021
Lead MP
Gavin Williamson
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
NHSEducationChildren & Families
Other Contributors: 31
At a Glance
Gavin Williamson raised concerns about covid-19: education settings in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The Secretary of State announced that restrictions will be lifted for schools, early years, childcare, colleges and universities as the country moves to step 4 on July 19th. The statement acknowledged the sacrifices made by pupils, parents, and teachers during the pandemic and highlighted the importance of children's education and wellbeing. Key changes include ending school bubbles and transferring contact tracing to NHS Test and Trace from August 16th, whereupon close contacts under 18 will no longer need to self-isolate if they test negative but must take a PCR test. Other measures such as staggered start and finish times are not necessary after step 4. Testing programmes for secondary schools and colleges will continue until the end of September with two on-site tests at the start of term, followed by regular home testing. The statement also emphasised the importance of getting vaccinated and maintaining protective measures like enhanced hygiene and ventilation during the autumn term.
Question
The shadow minister inquired about the outcomes of testing pilots, support for summer schools, holiday activities programmes, protective measures, mask usage policies, vaccinations for children, assessment plans, ventilation in colleges and higher education protections.
Kate Green
Lab
Wirral West
Question
I thank the Secretary of State for his statement and advance sight of it. I echo his tribute to education staff, pupils, and parents who have done much over the past year. I raise concerns about the number of pupils out of school due to coronavirus cases and question why testing instead of bubble systems was not mentioned in the minister's statement, seeking more details on pilot results and support for schools until September.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges that universities are supporting international students with face-to-face teaching. He highlights the success of the UK’s vaccine programme compared to the EU's approach.
Robert Halfon
Con
Harlow
Question
I strongly welcome the Government’s announcement and thank my right hon. Friend for his statement. I raise concerns about the impact on children not at school in exam years due to missed face-to-face teaching days, asking what assessment has been made by the government.
Minister reply
My right hon. Friend is correct. The intention is to move back to an examination system but with mitigations for pupils taking assessments next year.
Vicky Foxcroft
Lab
Lewisham North
Question
A young constituent expressed worry about the lack of necessary education and asked for 2022 GCSE exams to be simpler and adapted. The hon. Member asks when schools will get certainty about changes to next year’s exams.
Minister reply
We are looking at giving further guidance and information to schools imminently, with a focus on mitigation measures while recognising the best form of assessment is always examination.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
Question
I thank the Secretary of State for putting children first. I highlight the fact that every year 6,000 children die in the country and ask if he can reassure parents on the risks to their children from his announcement.
Minister reply
My right hon. Friend is correct. Children have very few adverse effects from covid, and combined with the vaccination programme, it is right to take this step forward.
Munira Wilson
Lib Dem
Twickenham
Question
I welcome today’s announcement about scrapping bubbles and self-isolation for pupils. I ask what more support will be put in place for better ventilation in schools following examples of Germany and New York City.
Minister reply
We continue to offer advice on how best to deliver good hand sanitising, hygiene, and ventilation measures at every stage during the pandemic.
Rother Valley
Question
I highlight the huge issue of digital inclusion and praise the Government for their investment in laptops for disadvantaged students and local businesses such as AESSEAL for providing computers to households.
Minister reply
My hon. Friend highlights the amazing work done through the distribution of laptops across the country, praising businesses like AESSEAL for supporting communities.
Chris Matheson
Lab
Cardiff South and Penarth
Question
May I press the Secretary of State on the question of exams, which other right hon. and hon. Members have mentioned? My constituent Ian, who is a teacher, points out that every time there has been a change to the exam system in order to cope with the pandemic over the past couple of years, it has been made at the last minute, with very little time for schools and pupils to prepare. If the Secretary of State is considering changes to the exam system, will he have an open consultation with school leaders and teachers, and will he get the plans in place as early as possible?
Minister reply
I can absolutely assure the hon. Gentleman that we talk continually to school leaders, teachers and many in the education sector on these issues. I can assure him that, as I have mentioned a couple of times in answer to questions today, we will be sharing further information on assessment in the next academic year.
Damian Hinds
Con
East Hampshire
Question
I strongly welcome my right hon. Friend’s statement and the return to normality and stability with the contingencies and safeguards he set out. Does he agree that although people sometimes talk about a balance between education and health objectives, actually overwhelmingly they go together because being in school is so important for children’s mental and physical health? Indeed, for some children there is also a safety protective factor.
Minister reply
My right hon. Friend is exactly right. The greatest single act to support children’s mental health was welcoming them back into schools on 8 March. That was the single biggest act that anyone could have done to help every single child.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Question
I know that the Secretary of State is familiar with Hull and knows about the educational challenges we faced in the city before covid. I just want to press him on whether he really believes that less than one hour of tutoring a fortnight over the next school year is really enough to make up for the 115 days of in-school teaching that children in Hull have missed this year.
Minister reply
The right hon. Lady is right to say that I know Hull very well, as my family come from Hull. I recognise that schools have faced great challenges, not just in the great city of Kingston upon Hull but right across the country. That is why our support for schools is not just about tutoring.
Ben Spencer
Con
Runnymede and Weybridge
Question
I also welcome the statement and thank my right hon. Friend. I thank everyone—the families and the staff—who has worked so hard to ensure that education has been delivered to children over the course of the pandemic. However, will my right hon. Friend clarify a point around the self-isolation requirements? As every parent knows, children—especially very young children—have coughs and colds and temperatures two a penny. At the moment, a temperature leads to a family self-isolation requirement, causing huge disruption to the child’s educational development and a huge impact on families. Can he unpack a bit what the requirements will be around children developing coughs and colds, particularly in early years, and what guidance and protocols will be taken forward? Will isolation be necessary, will testing be necessary, or can it be passed over if it is just a simple cough or cold?
Minister reply
We would always encourage people, if they are poorly or ill, to remain at home in order to be able to get better. But for clarity, those who have been in contact with someone who has had covid will still be able to access education and be able to come in to school, but if they have had that contact, Test and Trace would then be in touch with them and advise them to take a PCR test.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham
Question
The Secretary of State has told us that there will be a spike in infections following the relaxing of restrictions, and currently there are 150,000 school pupils with suspected covid-19 that are out of school, so we know that that figure will go up. So this is not about children dying of the infection; it is about schools being a vector for infection. What is the Secretary of State going to do when the winter months are coming, and we have increasing numbers of infections, to ensure that that does not happen, by improving ventilation and assisting schools with the resources that they need to deliver a safer environment?
Minister reply
I do not wish to contradict the hon. Gentleman, but schools have not been vectors of transmission; they have been reflective of the wider rates of covid in the community. That is why we continue to have measures in place, including the testing that will be in place for schools as they return after the summer period.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Question
As the data show, in York infection rates are soaring, particularly in school-age children, people are poorly, and as a result we are seeing major disruption in young people’s education. So as we see infection rates soar across the country, it means that education will be further disrupted, and I hope that the Secretary of State recognises that. How would he ensure that effective testing is put in place, working with our public health teams on the ground locally, to mitigate against that spike in infections and ensure that young people and their families are supported when they have to isolate and miss school?
Minister reply
It is absolutely right that schools have, and should continue to have, close and strong working relationships with local public health teams, not just in York, but right across the country. We have emphasised that point as part of the guidance that we have issued and made available to schools.
Nigel Mills
Con
Amber Valley
Question
I welcome today’s announcements. Will the Secretary of State confirm that the easing of restrictions will not affect his plans to provide high-quality tutoring alongside normal education in schools?
Minister reply
I can absolutely reassure my hon. Friend that that is the case. High-quality tutoring, with the roll-out of the national tutoring programme that will have a positive impact on so many, is one of the absolute top priorities of this Government.
Emma Hardy
Lab
Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
Question
What are the Government doing to prevent the chaos of last year by ensuring that all higher education students can receive both vaccinations before moving around the country to their university? How will the Secretary of State ensure that those turning 18 late in this academic year are offered both vaccinations before they move to university?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady raises an important point. That is why we are so pleased that we have been able to say to all those who are 18 and above that they have access to a vaccination. We are working very closely with the university sector to really get the message through about how important it is for youngsters—students—to be out there getting their vaccine: it protects not only them, but their friends, their family and their community.
Richard Graham
Con
Gloucester
Question
Having called for it in last week’s debate, I warmly welcome the Education Secretary’s statement today about pricking the school bubbles and self-isolation system with effect from 19 July. Will my right hon. Friend confirm the timing? Is it entirely up to the schools themselves whether they implement any or all of these measures in the last week of term? What will happen during the summer schools? How does the timing of the measures combine with his statement that children need to self-isolate only if they test positive after 16 August?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend asks and then it is delivered for him, so that goes to show his power. We are leaving it to the discretion of schools for the final few days of term. We are not expecting bubble systems to be operating during summer schools.
Andrew Gwynne
Ind
Gorton and Denton
Question
Schoolchildren have had a miserable year due to the pandemic, which disproportionately affects disadvantaged communities. What more is being done to tackle this inequality?
Minister reply
The Secretary of State shares the goal of providing opportunities for all children regardless of background. The Government will continue to invest in helping children catch up and excel.
Question
Will testing in schools continue after September, and if so, what criteria will be considered?
Minister reply
Testing will be reviewed at the end of September to ensure it is not continued indefinitely. The Government's cautious approach aims to avoid reimposing restrictions.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Question
What support will be given to outdoor education centres, which have faced job losses during the pandemic?
Minister reply
The Government aims to ensure these centres can reopen for day visitors and residential activities. Meetings with specialists are encouraged.
Question
Can 10% of pupil premium funding be allocated towards extra-curricular enrichment activities?
Minister reply
The Secretary of State supports targeting pupil premium funding more effectively at disadvantaged pupils and encourages schools to consider how it can deliver for its targeted audience.
Tahir Ali
Lab
Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley
Question
How will children access free school meals if they have to isolate during the summer holidays?
Minister reply
The Department for Work and Pensions supports students through food programmes provided by local authorities.
Question
Why is regular testing still continuing in schools, despite vaccinations having been rolled out widely?
Minister reply
A cautious approach ensures that we do not have to take a step back and maintains the success of the testing programme.
Question
Does my right hon. Friend agree with the National Education Union's need for decolonising the curriculum?
Minister reply
The Government has a broad, balanced, and knowledge-rich curriculum in place. The NEU’s previous stance on remote learning is concerning.
Question
What support will schools receive for conducting regular testing on site?
Minister reply
The Government will support schools as they roll out asymptomatic testing, providing the same level of support as previously given in March.
James Wild
Con
North West Norfolk
Question
What special educational needs funding is required to ensure every child’s needs are met?
Minister reply
Children with special educational needs are a priority for the Government, and future settlements will reflect this need.
Chi Onwurah
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Question
Welcomes the end of mandatory bubble isolation but raises concerns about continued child poverty, with a 13 percentage point increase in her constituency to 45% over five years. Asks for additional support beyond the catch-up plan.
Minister reply
Emphasises ongoing drive to raise school standards and highlights £3 billion investment as targeted intervention for constituents.
Steve Brine
Con
Question
Welcomes the changes but questions whether sending entire bubble home is still necessary now, given that outdoor sports days have been cancelled. Asks how colleagues can feel supported to find the right balance.
Minister reply
Encourages schools to proceed with events like sports days as they cannot be recaptured later and suggests dialogue with regional schools commissioners for challenges.
Sarah Owen
Lab
Luton North
Question
Highlights the importance of nurseries in education, noting they have not received compensation despite primary and secondary schools having been reimbursed. Asks why nurseries are always an afterthought.
Minister reply
Confirms that nurseries have been funded at pre-covid levels due to exceptional circumstances.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Question
Welcomes the changes but asks about extending vaccination programme to those under 18 years old, urging for clarity from JCVI report.
Minister reply
Acknowledges importance of correct information and hopes that JCVI report will inform Government decision-making soon.
Liz Twist
Lab
Blaydon and Consett
Question
Questions the relationship between schools and NHS Test and Trace, noting current responsibilities of school leaders in contacting individuals.
Minister reply
Clarifies that burden will shift from schools to Test and Trace for contact tracing but acknowledges some information may still be required from schools.
Shadow Comment
Kate Green
Shadow Comment
The shadow minister questioned the effectiveness of ending bubbles without adequate support in place to manage infections. She raised concerns over the impact on attendance, the results of testing pilot programmes, support for summer schools, the holiday activities and food programme, protective measures including masks, ventilation, and vaccinations. Kate Green also asked about plans for assessments next year and protections for colleges and higher education settings.
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