Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Maths and English: Support for Pupils

Monday 23 May 2022 · 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 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Schools White Paper includes a pledge to identify and support children who have fallen behind in English or maths.
  • Stoke-on-Trent is a priority education investment area, and the government will build on the strong work there through local partnerships.
  • The multiplication tables check will start next month to assess pupils' fluency in recalling times tables.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Nick Gibb Con
Education
Context

The effectiveness of maths teaching in primary schools is being questioned, with concerns about children falling behind.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the effectiveness of maths teaching in primary schools? To help pupils who have fallen behind, what support will be provided?

Answer from Robin Walker

The Schools White Paper includes a parent pledge to identify children who have fallen behind in English or maths and provide them with support. We have invested £1 billion in 6 million tutoring packages by 2024, re-endowed the Education Endowment Foundation, set aside £55 million for our accelerator fund, introduced a menu of targeted support methods, and continue to invest in networks of maths and English hubs.

Answered
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Q2 Jack Brereton Con
Education
Context

Stoke-on-Trent has been designated as an education priority area, and local efforts have been made to improve standards.

Question

Does my hon. Friend agree that we should welcome the work of partners in Stoke-on-Trent's education challenge board and support their efforts to drive up standards?

Answer from Robin Walker

I am very pleased that Stoke-on-Trent is a priority education investment area. Our approach will build on the strong work in all areas and consider ways to inform decision-making through local partnerships like the education challenge board.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions or commitments for improving standards were not provided

How: Under Review, Considering This

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Q3 Nick Gibb Con
Education
Context

The importance of children knowing their multiplication tables is being highlighted, with a statutory test for nine-year-olds scheduled.

Question

Does my hon. Friend share the view on the importance of children knowing their times tables by heart? Does he welcome the multiplication tables check starting next month?

Answer from Robin Walker

Yes, I agree. The multiplication tables check will be administered in June to determine whether pupils can fluently recall their times tables, which is essential for future success in mathematics. Schools will provide extra support where needed.

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