Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Dyslexia and other Neurodivergent Conditions

Monday 23 May 2022 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Matthew Hancock inquired about steps his Department is taking to improve early identification, teacher training, and support for pupils with dyslexia and other neurodivergent conditions in primary schools.
  • The response highlighted plans in the Schools White Paper and the SEND and alternative provision Green Paper to better identify at-risk children and provide them with support.
  • A roundtable meeting will be hosted by the Under-Secretary of State this summer to discuss different approaches around the country, including learning from existing good practices.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Matthew Hancock Con
Education
Context

The question addresses the need for early identification and support for students with dyslexia and other neurodivergent conditions in primary schools.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to help improve (a) early identification of, (b) teacher training in and (c) support for pupils with dyslexia and other neurodivergent conditions in primary schools?

Answer from Nadhim Zahawi

Our ambition is to level up opportunities for all children and young people. The Schools White Paper and the SEND and alternative provision Green Paper set out plans to better identify at-risk children and provide them with support, including those with neurodivergent conditions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps regarding early identification, teacher training, and support for pupils were not clearly detailed

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Q2 Matthew Hancock Con
Education
Context

The question follows up on the need to confirm a universal approach to screening and to commend existing initiatives, specifically mentioning Laureate Community Academy in Exning.

Question

I am grateful to the Secretary of State for that answer and for the work that he has done. The White Paper and the SEND review have gone down very well, but they are about the direction of travel; we need to get to the destination. Will he confirm the need for a universal approach to screening for neurodiverse conditions and will he also congratulate those who are doing good work already such as those at Laureate Community Academy in Exning in Newmarket, which I visited earlier this month?

Answer from Nadhim Zahawi

The Under-Secretary of State will host a roundtable meeting this summer to discuss different approaches around the country, including learning from existing good practices. Early intervention is important, and the Green Paper aims to deliver it. The parent pledge in the Schools White Paper provides teachers with tools to identify children with dyslexia and dyspraxia.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment on a universal approach to screening was not confirmed

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