Schools: Volunteer Reading Helpers

Debate between Lord Harrison and Lord Nash

Wednesday 11th January 2017 Lords Chamber

[Lord Nash]

My noble friend makes an extremely good point on the importance of librarians. They can be crucial because they influence the books that are chosen. It is about not just learning to read, but what our children read and improving their knowledge.

[Lord Harrison (Lab)]

My Lords, what happened to the promotion of volunteer groups under the big society?

[Lord Nash]

Under the shared society, we will promote what the noble Baroness, Lady Benjamin, referred to and certainly support groups such as Beanstalk and Springboard.

Schools: Religious Education

Debate between Lord Harrison and Lord Nash

Thursday 30th June 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Nash]

The case was on a very narrow, technical point, but the noble Lord may be pleased to hear that all six GCSE-awarding bodies’ GCSE content includes development of students’ understanding of wider beliefs, including a non-religious world view. The judge made clear that there was no challenge to the content of the GCSE and no requirement in domestic or human rights law to give equal air time to all shades of belief. We do not accept the wider interpretation that Dr Juss places on the case.

[Lord Harrison (Lab)]

Do the Government not recognise that their advice to schools may in itself contradict the law, as just explained by the noble Lord, Lord Taverne?

[Lord Nash]

We issued clear guidance in December on this matter and we do not recognise that point.

Schools: Faith Schools and Free Schools

Debate between Lord Harrison and Lord Nash

Wednesday 28th January 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Nash]

I entirely agree that in our approach to the education of our children we should not act on whims from any source.

[Lord Harrison (Lab)]

Is the Minister aware that much of the recurring criticism of these schools is about the failure to deliver education on religion which encompasses all religions and those people who have none at all?

[Lord Nash]

I entirely agree that all schools should prepare their pupils for modern life by teaching them about the basics of all the main religions practised in this country.