Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Self-isolating Children: Online Education

Monday 23 November 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 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Schools have a legal duty to provide remote education for children unable to attend school due to coronavirus since 22 October 2020.
  • The Department encourages schools to support online learning by teachers who are not in the classroom due to covid.
  • The Sunday Times reported a record 600,000 children were absent from class due to covid-related reasons last week.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sheryll Murray Con
Education
Context

The question arises from the need to provide high-quality online education for children who are self-isolating due to the ongoing pandemic. The context includes legal duties and support measures for state-funded schools.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that children self-isolating during the covid-19 outbreak receive high-quality online education. Schools have a duty to provide remote education, but practical implementation details are requested.

Answer from Gavin Williamson

We are clear that schools have a duty to provide remote education for state-funded children who are unable to attend school due to coronavirus. I gave a direction that placed a legal duty to provide remote education in those circumstances. That has been in effect since 22 October 2020.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific steps or resources being taken for high-quality online education, only confirming the legal duty exists.

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Q2 Sheryll Murray Con
Education
Context

Teachers are also required to self-isolate due to the virus. The question highlights a need for support and assurance that healthy teachers can assist with online learning from outside classrooms.

Question

I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. Many teachers are also having to self-isolate. For those who are healthy, are we ensuring that they are able to assist with online learning?

Answer from Gavin Williamson

We very much are, and we are encouraging schools with teachers who are not in a position to be in the classroom, to ensure and support online learning straight into children's homes. It is absolutely vital we do so. As we see more and more testing becoming available, we can release staff so they can be back in the classroom supporting the amazing work that is already going on there.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response acknowledged support but did not specify any concrete measures or policies for remote teaching assistance from home.

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Q3 Robert Halfon Con
Education Children & Families
Context

A record number of children were absent from class due to covid-related reasons last week. The question addresses concerns about exam fairness for students missing out on learning opportunities.

Question

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. We have a good Secretary of State already. Last week, The Sunday Times reported that a record 600,000 children were absent from class due to covid-related reasons. We know that around the country sending pupils home has, sadly, become more commonplace. It is right that exams in some form or another take place next year, but will my right hon. Friend set out the measures he is taking to ensure there is an absolute level playing field for those left behind during the coronavirus outbreak, as well as those who are sent home to self-isolate, so they have as fair a chance as possible in their exams as every other pupil?

Answer from Gavin Williamson

What all the evidence points to is that exams are the best and fairest way to ensure that children, especially children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds and children from black and ethnic minority backgrounds, get the best possible grades. What is so important is that we deliver fairness for all youngsters right across the board. We have already announced a package of measures to push back the date when exams will take place, so people can catch up on lost learning. We have also announced a £1 billion package to support schools to deliver extra assistance for those youngsters. We will announce further measures to ensure absolute fairness in our exam system, so that young people have the best opportunity to prove themselves when they have the opportunity to take their exams.

Answered
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