Education: Alternative Providers Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate

Education: Alternative Providers

Lord Addington Excerpts
Wednesday 27th March 2019

(5 years, 7 months ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text
Viscount Younger of Leckie Portrait Viscount Younger of Leckie
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

The local authorities have ultimate responsibility for ensuring that each and every one of those pupils is placed in a school that gives them equal chances to those who are in mainstream schools.

Lord Addington Portrait Lord Addington (LD)
- Hansard - -

My Lords, does the Minister agree that every child has a fundamental right to an education? If we are not sure that an unregistered school or placement can provide that, why on earth are we sending children there?

Viscount Younger of Leckie Portrait Viscount Younger of Leckie
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I am sure the noble Lord will agree that there are genuine reasons why we need alternative provision schools. He is absolutely right that it is just as important that education is given at a very high level to those in AP schools, as in mainstream schools, and that those children go on to lead happy and fulfilled lives.