Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend that T-levels and V-levels will not be developed for specific occupational areas where existing qualifications are delivering effectively; if so, which existing qualifications they assess are delivering effectively; and what criteria have been used to inform that assessment.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Every student entering post-16 education will have a clear choice of high-quality pathways. At level 3, this will be between A Levels, V Levels and T Levels.

V Levels are our new flagship vocational qualification and will be the option for students who wish to explore a range of sectors without specialising.

T Levels are already showing good progression outcomes, and we know the courses are valued for their industry placements and rigour. T Levels will be the only large qualification for students who want a sector-focused post-16 choice.

There will be no removal of public funding approval for 16 to 19 qualifications for 2026/27. Removal of public funding approval will take place from 2027/28 for qualifications in T Level areas and are 1,080 guided learning hours or larger. Further information on timelines for specific subjects are set out in the implementation plan, available on GOV.UK.

The implementation plan also includes an updated list of subject areas we are considering for 2029 and 2030. Subjects for these years will be confirmed following further subject testing and scoping of occupational standards.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of level 3 qualification reform on participation in creative education among under-represented young people, including the potential impact on the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The department’s qualification reforms aim to widen participation through clearer pathways, including new V Levels, the expansion of T Levels, and clearer level 2 routes through Occupational and Further Study Pathways.

We intend to develop V Levels in creative sectors for first teaching in 2030/31, and content will be consulted on before it is confirmed.

We are conducting exploratory work on content for potential creative T Levels, which includes extensive engagement with employers, providers and higher education institutions, as well as testing potential delivery models to support the sector.

We have already announced reforms to the delivery of industry placements, allowing for greater provider responsibility for determining appropriate delivery methods which should facilitate placements in creative settings

When designing the new pathways, we will consider learners who have special educational needs and disabilities, at risk of being not in employment, education or training, or who face other barriers to education to ensure that V Levels and level 2 routes are inclusive by design.

These changes aim to improve accessibility and participation, particularly for underrepresented groups.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many state-funded secondary schools in England offer (1) GCSE Film Studies, (2) A level Film Studies, (3) GCSE Media Studies, and (4) A level Media Studies; how many independent schools offer each of these qualifications; and whether they will publish this information annually by region as part of the national dataset on subject provision in schools.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The number of schools with entries in the two subjects requested are provided below. The department does not hold data on the subjects that institutions offer.

Number of schools with GCSE and A level entries in Film Studies and Media/Film/TV Studies in 2024/25, by school type:

Media Studies is referred to in the department’s attainment data ‘Media/Film/TV Studies’ and is a separate qualification to ‘Film Studies’.

Found: COMMITTEE Minutes of the 2nd Meeting, held at 2.00 pm on Tuesday, 9 June 2026 Present: Baroness Caine of Kentish Town

Found: COMMITTEE Minutes of the 1st Meeting, held at 2.00 pm on Tuesday, 2 June 2026 Present: Baroness Caine of Kentish Town

Found: COMMITTEE Minutes of the 3rd Meeting, held at 2.00 pm on Tuesday, 16 June 2026 Present: Baroness Caine of Kentish Town

Found: 16 June 2026 2.30 pm Watch the meeting Members present: Baroness Keeley (The Chair); Baroness Caine of Kentish Town

Found: Tuesday 9 June 2026 2.15 pm Watch the meeting Members present: Baroness Keeley (The Chair); Baroness Caine of Kentish Town

Found: Tuesday 2 June 2026 3.35 pm Watch the meeting Members present: Baroness Keeley (The Chair); Baroness Caine of Kentish Town

Found: Tuesday 2 June 2026 2.35 pm Watch the meeting Members present: Baroness Keeley (The Chair); Baroness Caine of Kentish Town