Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Free Schools and Academies: Planning Policy

Monday 20 January 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Officials have worked with planning counterparts to ensure a positive approach for local authorities in assessing planning applications for new schools and existing academies.
  • The Minister highlights the importance of schools being aware of children known to social workers and ensuring they receive pastoral support in school.
  • The Minister confirms commitment to continuing the free schools programme, noting its success in 2019 where seven out of top 15 secondary schools by progress scores were free schools.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Henry Smith Con Crawley
Education Local Government
Context

Discussions between the Department for Education and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on planning policy for new schools.

Question

What discussions has Nick Gibb had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure that free schools and academies are not restricted by planning policy?

Answer from Nick Gibb (Minister of State for School Standards)

Officials have worked with their counterparts on planning policy for new schools and existing academies. A positive approach is set out for local authorities in assessing planning applications. For the Gatwick School, officials are involved in the planning process to get permission from Crawley Borough Council.

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Q2 Lucy Powell Labour (Co-op) Manchester Central
Children & Families
Context

Review of children in need that highlights the importance of school awareness for children known to social workers.

Question

Will Nick Gibb talk to local authorities about current children's social services practice during conversations on planning policy, ensuring lessons from the Greater Manchester review are learned?

Answer from Nick Gibb (Minister of State for School Standards)

The Minister highlights the importance of schools being aware of children known to social workers and ensuring they receive pastoral support in school, maintaining high expectations for these pupils.

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Q3 Suella Braverman Reform Canterbury
Education
Context

Recognition of the success of the free schools programme and its importance for under-served areas.

Question

What plans does Nick Gibb have to increase the number of free schools, and has he read Suella Braverman's report 'Fight for Free Schools'?

Answer from Nick Gibb (Minister of State for School Standards)

The Minister confirms commitment to continuing the free schools programme, noting its success in 2019 where seven out of top 15 secondary schools by progress scores were free schools including Michaela Community School.

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