Educational Attainment: International Rankings

Debate between Lord Nash and Lord Bishop of Peterborough

Tuesday 13th December 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Nash]

My noble friend is absolutely right. The PISA study showed that pupils who report teacher-directed instruction do better in all but three countries, whereas pupils who report inquiry-based instruction do worse in the majority of countries. To support a knowledge-rich curriculum, which is so important, particularly for pupils from a disadvantaged background, clearly more teacher-led direction is necessary.

[The Lord Bishop of Peterborough]

My Lords, is the Minister aware that, in a number of the countries that have much higher academic standards at secondary school level, particularly those in the Far East—I know the story of South Korea quite well—there is also a much higher suicide rate among teenagers? Does he agree that our schools need to help people learn in ways that they enjoy and are healthy holistically, and that schools should encourage a love of learning rather than a fear of failure?

[Lord Nash]

I entirely agree with the right reverend Prelate, and I pay tribute to the Church’s performance in education—it is particularly good at this. Of course a love of learning is important, and we believe that being taught by teachers with a very high subject knowledge can inspire pupils.

Creative Sector: Educational Provision

Debate between Lord Nash and Lord Bishop of Peterborough

Wednesday 22nd July 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Nash]

One has to look back to where we have come from. Under the Labour Government, the number of pupils studying a core suite of academic subjects collapsed from 50% to 22% as the Labour Government perpetuated the scandal of equivalents. I make no apologies for the EBacc. We are now back to 39% of pupils taking these core subjects which are acknowledged to give pupils, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, the cultural capital that they need.

[The Lord Bishop of Peterborough]

My Lords, does the Minister agree that education is about not just national productivity but the whole of human flourishing? The arts, music and cultural subjects in general are essential to that.

[Lord Nash]

I agree entirely with the right reverend Prelate. Core cultural studies must include the arts and creative subjects, and from September 2015 Ofsted will inspect pupils’ welfare and engagement in these kinds of studies and activities.

Schools: Arts Subjects

Debate between Lord Nash and Lord Bishop of Peterborough

Tuesday 20th January 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Nash]

I agree entirely with my noble friend; they are essential subjects. We hope that as a result of our reforms there will be an increased focus on them.

[The Lord Bishop of Peterborough]

My Lords, does the Minister agree that the encouragement of arts or liberal humanities subjects is for the benefit of human flourishing and is also essential for preventing the development of extremism in religion and politics, and is therefore to be positively encouraged by government?

[Lord Nash]

I agree entirely with the right reverend Prelate. A rich cultural education, a knowledge of history and an understanding of British values are all part of a good education and should help combat any temptation to radical ways of life.

Schools: Admissions

Debate between Lord Nash and Lord Bishop of Peterborough

Tuesday 21st October 2014 Lords Chamber

[Lord Nash]

I agree entirely with the noble Earl and, of course, most schools prioritise looked-after children.

[The Lord Bishop of Peterborough]

Will the Minister join me in congratulating the four latest Church of England free schools to be announced, which between them offer nearly 2,500 places to young people of all faiths and none, especially in areas of severe shortage?

[Lord Nash]

My Lords, I congratulate the church on this. It has played an active part in education in this country since long before the state got involved. Church schools generally perform better and are particularly successful at promoting community cohesion.