Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Chi Onwurah and Michael Gove

Monday 3rd December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Michael Gove]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend, who always makes her points proportionately and wisely. I agree with her that it is important not just to reassure students and teachers, but to applaud the fantastic work that is being done in creative and cultural education. That is why I or one of my colleagues would be only too happy to meet those in the schools in her constituency that are doing such a good job.

[Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab)]

T8. It is 20 years ago today that the very first SMS was sent by an engineer. Today also sees the publication of EngineeringUK’s report, setting out the need to double the number of students studying GCSE physics if we are to meet the engineering needs of the future. What is the Secretary of State doing to make sure that a doubling of the numbers studying physics will happen, particularly in academies, which as he knows are responsible only to him?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Chi Onwurah and Michael Gove

Monday 3rd September 2012 Commons Chamber

[Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab)]

19. What measures he has put in place to prevent the sale of academy school sports playing fields.

[The Secretary of State for Education (Michael Gove)]

No disposal of publicly funded playing field land at an academy may take place without the Secretary of State’s consent. The Government will agree to the sale of playing fields only if the sports and curriculum needs of the academy and its neighbouring schools can continue to be met. Sale proceeds must be used to improve sports and education facilities.

[Chi Onwurah]

The Secretary of State made sure that academies were accountable only to himself and then decided that all state schools should become academies. But he gets his figures wrong on playing fields, overrules his own advisers, exempts academies from most of his own policies and, in any case, focuses all his time and his Department’s money on free schools. How can we have confidence in him on sport or anything else?

[Michael Gove]

I am proud of the success of academies and free schools, but they are not the only thing that the Government are doing; we are also making sure that we improve inspection, teacher recruitment, the curriculum and examinations. As for playing fields, we have ensured that the rules have changed so that they are better protected under this Government than they were under the last one.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Chi Onwurah and Michael Gove

Monday 16th April 2012 Commons Chamber

[Michael Gove]

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for the care he shows in ensuring that every school in his constituency finds itself in the right position and has the right status. When an academy order is granted, it is a rules-based process; if a school satisfies certain criteria, it is appropriate that an academy order be issued in most circumstances. Subsequently, however, a number of concerns—beyond those that the right hon. Gentleman rightly raised—are being investigated. At the conclusion of that investigation, I will make sure that the right hon. Gentleman, as the constituency Member, and others are informed about the decision that is eventually taken.

[Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab)]

8. What recent discussions he has had on academies and free schools in Newcastle upon Tyne Central constituency.

[The Secretary of State for Education (Michael Gove)]

My Department has a series of meetings with individuals in Newcastle and elsewhere about the progress of academy and free school applications.

[Chi Onwurah]

A free school is being proposed in Newcastle right next to an academy that was built only three years ago. Additionally, primary and secondary schools across the constituency are being forced to convert to academy status against the wishes of parents. Now that the city council finds that it faces a legal bill of hundreds of thousands of pounds for these conversions, will the Secretary of State assure me that the council tax payers of Newcastle will not have to pay for the chaos he is imposing on our education system?

Education Funding

Debate between Chi Onwurah and Michael Gove

Monday 5th July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Michael Gove]

My hon. Friend makes an impeccable point, and I totally agree with her.

[Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab)]

I attended Kenton comprehensive in my constituency under the previous Conservative Government in the 1980s. We had great teachers, but we also had peeling walls, leaking roofs and prefab buildings. On Friday, I was able to attend the opening of the new Kenton school, which is a £33 million investment in the future of Newcastle’s children, made under the last Labour Government. Now I know that this coalition—

--- Later in debate ---

[Chi Onwurah]

Yes, I would like to ask the Secretary of State if he will at least acknowledge that the investment of the last Labour Government will reap real rewards for Newcastle, for my school and for my city.

[Michael Gove]

I know that in Newcastle, schools are either open or have reached financial close. I have had the opportunity of talking to the head teacher of Kenton school, which I know is excellent and I hope to visit it in the future.