Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Lichfield Cathedral Summer School

Thursday 16 November 2023 · 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

  • Michael Fabricant questioned the Minister about the Lichfield cathedral summer school, which supports children on free school meals and helps them socialise.
  • The Minister praised the Lichfield cathedral summer school for its inspirational work in supporting children and fostering socialisation.
  • Michael Fabricant highlighted the 20th anniversary of MusicShare, a programme that has reached 25,000 children and includes participants up to their 90s.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Michael Fabricant Con
Children & Families Religion & Faith
Context

The Church Commissioners are being asked about the potential to share good practices from the summer school at Lichfield cathedral.

Question

If the Church Commissioners will take steps to share good practice from the work of the Lichfield cathedral summer school, which is an inspiration for supporting children on free school meals and helping them socialise before a new term starts with county council support and the Government's holiday activities programme.

Answer from Andrew Selous

I thank my hon. Friend and the cathedral chapter at Lichfield for their warm welcome on my recent visit, which I greatly enjoyed. The Lichfield cathedral summer school is indeed an inspiration to the wider Church in supporting children, many of whom are on free school meals, to socialise and learn before the new school year begins. It has expanded with county council support and the Government's holiday activities and food programme.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not specifically address whether the Church Commissioners will take steps to share good practice from Lichfield cathedral summer school.

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Q2 Michael Fabricant Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The questioner notes the 20th anniversary of MusicShare at Lichfield cathedral and its impact on local schools. He asks what more could be done to advise other cathedrals.

Question

I thank my hon. Friend for his answer. It is the 20th anniversary of MusicShare, which started in Lichfield. Over 150 schools are engaged each year. I went to the anniversary concert in Lichfield cathedral last Saturday and saw “Noye's Fludde”, which was written by Benjamin Britten. It was a spectacular occasion, with all the schoolchildren taking part. What more could Lichfield do to advise other cathedrals on how it ought to be done?

Answer from Andrew Selous

As so often, where Lichfield leads others follow. My hon. Friend is right that the choral tradition in our cathedrals is one of the glories of our country. Lichfield's MusicShare programme has, I understand, reached 25,000 children, with participants of all ages, including people up to their 90s. That is, no doubt, why it has won a national award from The Times Educational Supplement.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not specifically address what Lichfield can do to advise other cathedrals on implementing similar programmes.

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