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International Baccalaureate: Funding in State Schools
29 October 2025
Lead MP
Olly Glover
Didcot and Wantage
LD
Responding Minister
Josh MacAlister
Tags
Employment
Word Count: 12877
Other Contributors: 18
At a Glance
Olly Glover raised concerns about international baccalaureate: funding in state schools in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The government should reconsider its decision to cut funding as it contradicts their commitment to further education and a broad curriculum. They must ensure that the IB remains accessible in state schools rather than creating a two-tier system where only those who can afford private schooling have access.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The IB diploma programme faces losing funding from the Government from 2026-27, without prior consultation or impact assessment. This decision is causing significant stress for parents, pupils and school staff at a critical time when decisions are being made about children's educational futures.
Mid Sussex
Varndean sixth-form college in Brighton offers the international baccalaureate, which is under threat without the large programme uplift. Cutting funding risks entrenching a two-tier education system where access to this qualification is reserved for the wealthy. A-levels should not be seen as secondary to the international baccalaureate. The Minister disagrees with this view and argues that A-levels offer variety, choice, and combinations of qualifications.
Calum Miller
LD
Bicester and Woodstock
Agrees with concerns over short notice given for changes to IB funding and emphasizes the impact on schools with wide catchment areas, like Europa School in Oxfordshire.
South Devon
Critiqued the Government for slashing funding for the International Baccalaureate programme, arguing it discourages ambition and limits social mobility while contradicting the government's mission to break down barriers.
Ely and East Cambridgeshire
Notes that Impington Village College in her constituency is also affected by the decision to cut IB funding, causing significant stress for pupils, parents, and staff.
Henley and Thame
Supports the wide range of choice in education that includes schools offering the IB diploma, highlighting the Europa School in Olly Glover's constituency as an example.
Helen Hayes
Lab
Dulwich and West Norwood
Funding for 16-to-19 education in schools and colleges has been significantly cut, with per-pupil funding falling by approximately 11% for colleges and 23% for school sixth forms. Engagement with schools on the funding decision would have been helpful. The redeployment of uplift could have helped increase quality in vocational and technical courses, but evidence of consideration of a range of options is lacking.
Ian Sollom
LD
St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire
The decision demonstrates a flawed approach to policymaking. The Government’s rationale focuses on prioritising STEM education, but it lacks consultation and could negatively impact subjects with higher cost bases.
Jayne Kirkham
Lab/Co-op
Truro and Falmouth
Truro and Penwith College in Cornwall offers the international baccalaureate on a non-selective basis, with high success rates. It supports social mobility by providing education to students from diverse backgrounds.
Jim Dickson
Lab
Dartford
Dartford Grammar School is one of 20 schools affected by the decision, offering world-class education and encouraging international outlook among students through various programmes. The IB is particularly attractive because it provides young people with additional stretch and challenge, breaking down barriers to opportunity not only in top universities but also in apprenticeships and employment.
Josh Dean
Lab
Hertford and Stortford
Discussed the impact of funding cuts on Hockerill Anglo-European College, highlighting the lack of prior consultation and the school's inability to make drastic changes in a short timeframe.
Josh MacAlister
Lab
Dulwich and West Norwood
Argued that the current system does not provide equal opportunities for young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Mark Green
Con
Bristol North West
The Conservative Party believes that the best way to reduce child poverty is through job creation, not direct funding.
Polly Billington
Lab
East Thanet
Dartford grammar school in her constituency faces the prospect of losing its international baccalaureate programme, making it a preserve for private schools.
Tiverton and Minehead
Agrees with concerns over pushing students towards independent schools due to lack of state funding for the IB programme.
Saqib Bhatti
Lab
Glasgow Cathcart
Supported the concerns raised about the impact of cutting IB funding on STEM education for girls and called for more evidence-based policy making. Challenged the Minister's claim about Conservative investment in childcare and asked him to acknowledge it.
Sarah James
LD
Norwich South
I would like to draw attention to the fact that over 60% of single-parent families are affected by this issue and need more support from the government.
Maldon
The Anglo European School in Essex is the only school locally that offers the IB, making it essential for many students and contributing significantly to social mobility. The removal of funding poses a threat to this valuable programme.
Steve Darling
SNP
Banff and Buchan
Torquay boys’ grammar school has offered the international baccalaureate for 16 years, resulting in an influx of young women and youngsters from across the south-west who want to study it. The Minister advises that universities accept three A-levels or an international baccalaureate. He notes that more than three A-levels might limit university options for students.
Government Response
Josh MacAlister
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education
Government Response
A-levels are recognised by top universities and offer variety, choice, and combinations of qualifications. The Government's large programme uplift prioritises four or more A-levels with advanced maths. Funding has not been scrapped for the international baccalaureate; only a small percentage of students study it. The Minister challenges MPs to propose how to fund its expansion for disadvantaged students.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.