School Openings: January 2022

Debate between Alex Burghart and Flick Drummond

Wednesday 15th December 2021 Commons Chamber

[Alex Burghart]

I have always considered my hon. Friend to be a spreader of good cheer, and I now have a wonderful image of him traipsing around his constituency with a large sack upon his back. I can only echo his remarks; the headteachers and school leaders I meet share his and the Department’s determination to do the best for their children.

[Mrs Flick Drummond (Meon Valley) (Con)]

May I take this opportunity to thank all the teachers and school staff in Meon Valley for their amazing work during the pandemic? May I ask my hon. Friend to give schools and headteachers plenty of warning—hopefully not at weekends—if there are to be any changes to the system?

[Alex Burghart]

I fully hear what my hon. Friend says. As of this morning, all our guidance is up to date. We maintain a very good conversation with school leaders in what is obviously a very fast-moving situation.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alex Burghart and Flick Drummond

Monday 6th December 2021 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Flick Drummond (Meon Valley) (Con)]

23. What steps his Department is taking to strengthen the value of technical qualifications.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Alex Burghart)]

Our review of technical education at levels 2 and 3 is providing new routes to work, ensuring that all students have qualifications, designed with employers, that meet the needs of the economy.

--- Later in debate ---

[Alex Burghart]

Any invitation to Crawley is too good to miss, and I would be absolutely delighted to come and see the roll-out of T-levels in my hon. Friend’s constituency. In my time as a Minister, I have had the pleasure of seeing many such colleges, and students and tutors are united in their enthusiasm for the project on which they have embarked.

[Mrs Drummond]

If the Government are keen on improving skills, levelling up and improving technical qualifications, including for green jobs, is this not the time to seriously consider having a 14 to 18 curriculum so that students can study these subjects in depth?

[Alex Burghart]

My hon. Friend is a powerful advocate for the position that she has just outlined. The Government are committed to providing young people with technical skills and the knowledge to progress. Indeed, strong university technical colleges such as the outstanding UTC in Portsmouth are succeeding in equipping their students with these vital skills. I understand that she met my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to discuss this the other day.