Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Remote Education

Monday 18 January 2021 · 8 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 7 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Teachers and leaders are working to provide high-quality remote education, setting clear expectations for schools and further education providers.
  • Parents are encouraged to discuss concerns with teachers or headteachers first, and only go to Ofsted as a last resort.
  • The Department is investing in technology and internet access, including 400 million for 1.3 million additional devices, making a total of 4.2 million available.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tom Hunt
Education
Context

The MP is concerned about remote learning adequacy for children during the pandemic, especially in Ipswich where teachers balance physical and virtual teaching.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to ensure the adequacy of remote education for children during the covid-19 lockdown?

Answer from Gavin Williamson

Teachers and leaders are working incredibly hard, making tremendous efforts to provide high-quality remote education. We have set clear strengthened expectations for schools and further education providers, and our “Get help with remote education” page on gov.uk provides support, training and good practice for schools and parents.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked specifically about steps taken to ensure adequacy of remote learning but the answer provided general encouragement without concrete details or commitments.

How: We Have Set Clear Strengthened Expectations, Our Page Provides Support And Training

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Danny Kruger Reform East Wiltshire
Education
Context

Parents are concerned about the quality of live teaching their children receive compared to other schools. Some parents have been advised by ministers to complain to Ofsted if they believe their child is not receiving enough direct teaching.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that parents should challenge their school directly and discuss their concerns with the head of the governing body, and that making a complaint to Ofsted, as Ministers have suggested they do, should only be the last resort?

Answer from Gavin Williamson

Absolutely. We encourage parents in the first instance to speak with a teacher or headteacher, and only as a last resort to go to Ofsted. We want to see live teaching as much as possible, but a whole spectrum of resources can be offered. Parents should work with schools for best solutions.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Jerome Mayhew Con Broadland and Fakenham
Education
Context

More than 750,000 laptops have been delivered to schools and over 2.9 million are available for children's use, significantly reducing the digital divide. The MP wants more information on the percentage of schools offering live online lessons.

Question

Can my right hon. Friend give an indication of the percentage of schools providing live teaching online? Does he have plans to increase that further?

Answer from Gavin Williamson

My hon. Friend highlights strides in supporting remote education provision, including encouraging as much live teaching as possible. We are monitoring the situation closely with Ofsted support to ensure best solutions for all children.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked for specific percentage and future plans but received encouragement without concrete figures or timelines.

How: We Encourage Live Teaching, Monitoring Situation Closely

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Tom Hunt
Mental Health Children & Families
Context

The MP is concerned about the importance of live lessons for pupils, especially those with special educational needs such as speech and language difficulties.

Question

Does the Secretary of State consider the impact on those with special educational needs? For them, live lessons are particularly important, especially if they have speech and language difficulties, because live engagement gives them the opportunity to question. Live lessons can also be hugely beneficial for the mental health of many pupils.

Answer from Gavin Williamson

My hon. Friend is correct, it is important to ensure a balanced approach for young people, especially those with special educational needs. We have ensured that children who have an education, health and care plan can go into school as part of the category of vulnerable children needing extra face-to-face support from teachers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked specifically about considering impact on SEN students but received confirmation for a specific policy without addressing broader considerations.

How: Ensuring Children With Care Plans Can Attend School

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q5 Wes Streeting Lab Ilford North
Social Care Education
Context

Up to 1.8 million children lack devices at home, with over 800,000 unable to access the internet needed for remote learning. The MP is questioning the government's provision of devices and its shortcomings.

Question

The fact is that up to 1.8 million children in this country do not have access to a device at home, and more than 800,000 do not have access to the internet needed. Even with the laptops that the Secretary of State has already provided and those he intends to provide, the provision of devices and dongles falls well short. Why is the Secretary of State willing to accept standards for other people's children that he would never accept for his own?

Answer from Gavin Williamson

At every stage, we want to deliver the best for every child. We have invested £400 million in purchasing and distributing an additional 1.3 million devices, making a total of 4.2 million devices available in schools.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked about standards falling short but received justification for investment without addressing specific shortcomings.

How: Delivering The Best For Every Child, Investment Of £400M

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q6 Carol Monaghan SNP
Social Care Education
Context

The MP highlights that nearly a million youngsters lack internet access, questioning the government's decision to reject BT's offer of free internet access.

Question

Of course, a laptop or a device is really just a glorified typewriter if you cannot access the internet. We know that nearly 1 million youngsters in the UK are in that situation. Given that BT's offer of free internet access was rejected by the Secretary of State, how does he plan to help such children to access the internet for remote education?

Answer from Gavin Williamson

At every stage, we work with companies like EE, Three and BT to ensure maximum data availability for vulnerable children. Many children in Scotland benefit from this work with providers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked about access plans but received acknowledgment of existing work without specific new initiatives or timelines.

How: Working With Companies, Benefits For Scottish Children

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q7 Carol Monaghan SNP
Education Benefits & Welfare
Context

The Scottish Government have implemented a cash-first response or vouchers for families entitled to free school meals. The question highlights the importance of addressing hunger among children during remote education.

Question

I welcome the support that these internet companies have provided; I only wish the Secretary of State would take his responsibility in this area more seriously, and had moved more quickly. The success of remote learning is not just about the right equipment. It includes whether or not students have eaten. Will the UK Government make a similar commitment to provide either cash or voucher support for families entitled to free school meals?

Answer from Gavin Williamson

We have opened up the national voucher scheme to all schools in England, giving them options such as food parcels, locally procured vouchers, or using the national voucher scheme. This ensures that children are fed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question specifically asked for a commitment to provide cash or voucher support directly from the government, but the answer did not explicitly commit to this provision.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q8 Robert Halfon Con
Education Mental Health
Context

A pre-pandemic study highlighted that better mental health at age seven is correlated with higher academic progression. The pandemic has worsened mental health concerns among millions of children, as noted by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

Question

The Department for Education's own pre-pandemic study found that pupils' wellbeing predicted their later academic progression. Mental health worries have rocketed during remote learning. Will my right hon Friend work with charities like Place2Be to put mental health councillors in all schools now, so children can access support whenever they need it?

Answer from Gavin Williamson

We have undertaken work on helping schools train staff for supporting pupils and staff regarding their mental health. I would be happy to discuss further how voluntary organisations can support children and those working in the education sector.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question asked specifically about placing mental health councillors in all schools, but the answer only mentioned training existing staff without committing to additional councillors.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email