Asked by: Andy Slaughter (Labour - Hammersmith)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 1 November 2018 to Question 183860 on High Rise Flats: Fire Prevention, and reports of high concentrations of toxins in the soil around Grenfell Tower, what assessment the Government has made about the safety of school sites where there have been fires.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The Government takes the safety of children and staff in schools very seriously. In the unfortunate event that a school has suffered damage as a result of a fire and requires rebuilding, soil contamination surveys would be expected to be undertaken as part of the feasibility study for the replacement buildings.
Schools also have responsibilities under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (2005) to have fire safety management plans in place. These should include risk assessments, which must be updated following any fire incident or any significant change to buildings or operations.
More specifically, in relation to Grenfell, the Communities Secretary has set up a multi-agency expert group which includes the Environment Agency, Public Health England, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and NHS England to make sure soil surveying around Grenfell Tower is comprehensive. The analysis from this survey work will be made available to the public.
Asked by: Andy Slaughter (Labour - Hammersmith)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 1 November 2018 to Question 183891 on Schools: Insulation, whether the Government has measured the effect on children’s education of fires which have destroyed school buildings.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The information requested is not held centrally. The Department does not collect data on school fires. The Home Office publishes data relating to fires in buildings other than dwellings, which includes categories for educational establishments. The most recent published figures cover the 2010/11 to 2017/18 financial years inclusive and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/fire-statistics-data-tables.
The 2017/18 data shows that the incidence of fire across the school estate affecting the whole building, is low.
Neither the Department, nor the Home Office, collect information on: how many school fires resulted in the relocation of pupils to separate premises in 2017-18; how many days of operation have been lost as a result of fires in schools in 2017-2018; what the cost has been to (a) central Government and (b) local authorities of fires in schools in 2017-18; or the effect on children’s education of fires which have destroyed school buildings fires in schools.
Schools are, in general, very safe environments in relation to fire safety as they are typically occupied during the daytime and have multiple exit routes. In addition, all schools must comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, including having an up-to-date fire risk assessment and conducting regular fire drills.
The Government attaches the highest priority to the safety of pupils and staff in schools. Following the Grenfell tragedy, the Department contacted all bodies responsible for safety in school buildings in England. They were instructed to carry out checks to identify any buildings with aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding so that they could be further investigated, and any risks were managed and dealt with promptly. This work focused on identifying buildings over 18 metres or with residential accommodation with ACM. The one school in scope has already carried out remediation work to remove and replace the cladding.
The Department is working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to implement the ban on the use of combustible cladding on new residential buildings over 18 metres, including residential schools and student accommodation. More widely, we will continue to work across Government to take forward the findings from the Hackitt Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety.
Asked by: Andy Slaughter (Labour - Hammersmith)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 1 November 2018 to Question 183891 on Schools: Insulation, what the cost has been to (a) central Government and (b) local authorities of fires in schools in 2017-18.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The information requested is not held centrally. The Department does not collect data on school fires. The Home Office publishes data relating to fires in buildings other than dwellings, which includes categories for educational establishments. The most recent published figures cover the 2010/11 to 2017/18 financial years inclusive and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/fire-statistics-data-tables.
The 2017/18 data shows that the incidence of fire across the school estate affecting the whole building, is low.
Neither the Department, nor the Home Office, collect information on: how many school fires resulted in the relocation of pupils to separate premises in 2017-18; how many days of operation have been lost as a result of fires in schools in 2017-2018; what the cost has been to (a) central Government and (b) local authorities of fires in schools in 2017-18; or the effect on children’s education of fires which have destroyed school buildings fires in schools.
Schools are, in general, very safe environments in relation to fire safety as they are typically occupied during the daytime and have multiple exit routes. In addition, all schools must comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, including having an up-to-date fire risk assessment and conducting regular fire drills.
The Government attaches the highest priority to the safety of pupils and staff in schools. Following the Grenfell tragedy, the Department contacted all bodies responsible for safety in school buildings in England. They were instructed to carry out checks to identify any buildings with aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding so that they could be further investigated, and any risks were managed and dealt with promptly. This work focused on identifying buildings over 18 metres or with residential accommodation with ACM. The one school in scope has already carried out remediation work to remove and replace the cladding.
The Department is working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to implement the ban on the use of combustible cladding on new residential buildings over 18 metres, including residential schools and student accommodation. More widely, we will continue to work across Government to take forward the findings from the Hackitt Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety.
Asked by: Andy Slaughter (Labour - Hammersmith)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 1 November 2018 to Question 183891 on Schools: Insulation, how many days of operation have been lost as a result of fires in schools in 2017-2018.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The information requested is not held centrally. The Department does not collect data on school fires. The Home Office publishes data relating to fires in buildings other than dwellings, which includes categories for educational establishments. The most recent published figures cover the 2010/11 to 2017/18 financial years inclusive and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/fire-statistics-data-tables.
The 2017/18 data shows that the incidence of fire across the school estate affecting the whole building, is low.
Neither the Department, nor the Home Office, collect information on: how many school fires resulted in the relocation of pupils to separate premises in 2017-18; how many days of operation have been lost as a result of fires in schools in 2017-2018; what the cost has been to (a) central Government and (b) local authorities of fires in schools in 2017-18; or the effect on children’s education of fires which have destroyed school buildings fires in schools.
Schools are, in general, very safe environments in relation to fire safety as they are typically occupied during the daytime and have multiple exit routes. In addition, all schools must comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, including having an up-to-date fire risk assessment and conducting regular fire drills.
The Government attaches the highest priority to the safety of pupils and staff in schools. Following the Grenfell tragedy, the Department contacted all bodies responsible for safety in school buildings in England. They were instructed to carry out checks to identify any buildings with aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding so that they could be further investigated, and any risks were managed and dealt with promptly. This work focused on identifying buildings over 18 metres or with residential accommodation with ACM. The one school in scope has already carried out remediation work to remove and replace the cladding.
The Department is working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to implement the ban on the use of combustible cladding on new residential buildings over 18 metres, including residential schools and student accommodation. More widely, we will continue to work across Government to take forward the findings from the Hackitt Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety.
Asked by: Andy Slaughter (Labour - Hammersmith)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 1 November 2018 to Question 183891 on Schools: Insulation, how many school fires resulted in the relocation of pupils to separate premises in 2017-18.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The information requested is not held centrally. The Department does not collect data on school fires. The Home Office publishes data relating to fires in buildings other than dwellings, which includes categories for educational establishments. The most recent published figures cover the 2010/11 to 2017/18 financial years inclusive and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/fire-statistics-data-tables.
The 2017/18 data shows that the incidence of fire across the school estate affecting the whole building, is low.
Neither the Department, nor the Home Office, collect information on: how many school fires resulted in the relocation of pupils to separate premises in 2017-18; how many days of operation have been lost as a result of fires in schools in 2017-2018; what the cost has been to (a) central Government and (b) local authorities of fires in schools in 2017-18; or the effect on children’s education of fires which have destroyed school buildings fires in schools.
Schools are, in general, very safe environments in relation to fire safety as they are typically occupied during the daytime and have multiple exit routes. In addition, all schools must comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, including having an up-to-date fire risk assessment and conducting regular fire drills.
The Government attaches the highest priority to the safety of pupils and staff in schools. Following the Grenfell tragedy, the Department contacted all bodies responsible for safety in school buildings in England. They were instructed to carry out checks to identify any buildings with aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding so that they could be further investigated, and any risks were managed and dealt with promptly. This work focused on identifying buildings over 18 metres or with residential accommodation with ACM. The one school in scope has already carried out remediation work to remove and replace the cladding.
The Department is working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to implement the ban on the use of combustible cladding on new residential buildings over 18 metres, including residential schools and student accommodation. More widely, we will continue to work across Government to take forward the findings from the Hackitt Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety.
Asked by: Andy Slaughter (Labour - Hammersmith)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 1 November 2018 to Question 183891 on Schools: Insulation, how many school fires occurred in 2017-2018.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The information requested is not held centrally. The Department does not collect data on school fires. The Home Office publishes data relating to fires in buildings other than dwellings, which includes categories for educational establishments. The most recent published figures cover the 2010/11 to 2017/18 financial years inclusive and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/fire-statistics-data-tables.
The 2017/18 data shows that the incidence of fire across the school estate affecting the whole building, is low.
Neither the Department, nor the Home Office, collect information on: how many school fires resulted in the relocation of pupils to separate premises in 2017-18; how many days of operation have been lost as a result of fires in schools in 2017-2018; what the cost has been to (a) central Government and (b) local authorities of fires in schools in 2017-18; or the effect on children’s education of fires which have destroyed school buildings fires in schools.
Schools are, in general, very safe environments in relation to fire safety as they are typically occupied during the daytime and have multiple exit routes. In addition, all schools must comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, including having an up-to-date fire risk assessment and conducting regular fire drills.
The Government attaches the highest priority to the safety of pupils and staff in schools. Following the Grenfell tragedy, the Department contacted all bodies responsible for safety in school buildings in England. They were instructed to carry out checks to identify any buildings with aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding so that they could be further investigated, and any risks were managed and dealt with promptly. This work focused on identifying buildings over 18 metres or with residential accommodation with ACM. The one school in scope has already carried out remediation work to remove and replace the cladding.
The Department is working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to implement the ban on the use of combustible cladding on new residential buildings over 18 metres, including residential schools and student accommodation. More widely, we will continue to work across Government to take forward the findings from the Hackitt Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety.
Asked by: Andy Slaughter (Labour - Hammersmith)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to educate children about exposure to air pollution in the area around their school or nursery.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The geography curriculum includes content to help pupils “understand how human and physical processes interact to influence, and change landscapes, environments and the climate”. In covering these topics, teachers may choose to explore levels of pollution and their impact within their local area.
There is also scope to teach about air pollution as part of the science curriculum. For example, in secondary schools, children are taught about the potential effects of increased levels of carbon dioxide and methane on the Earth’s climate and how we reduce these effects. Children in primary schools are taught topics including: changing environments, plants, and different materials.
Teachers could choose to explore the effects of pollution on health as part of the science content about how bodies work – including, for example, the circulatory system and gas exchange systems.
In addition, the Government is proposing to introduce compulsory health education in all primary and secondary state-funded schools. The focus of health education will be on teaching the characteristics of good physical health and mental wellbeing.
Asked by: Andy Slaughter (Labour - Hammersmith)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what his Department’s policy is on creating new (a) schools and (b) nurseries in (i) air quality management areas and (ii) within 150 metres of roads that have levels of nitrogen dioxide which are illegal under the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010.
Answered by Nick Gibb
Outdoor air quality is the responsibility of each local authority who should ensure measures are in place to reduce emissions to meet national targets. The relevant local planning authority will determine the suitability of the proposed location for a new school. In addition, school building proposals may contain a range of measures to ensure that air quality is of a suitable or appropriate standard.
Departmental guidance on indoor air quality in schools is included in the Building Bulletin 101. This promotes best practice and sets standards for levels of pollutants in classrooms. All new schools should comply with these standards.
Asked by: Andy Slaughter (Labour - Hammersmith)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to support existing programmes aimed at helping to ensure that the views of disadvantaged children in (a) London and (b) other parts of England are taken into consideration by decision-making organisations.
Answered by Nadhim Zahawi
My department is committed to hearing the views of service users, which includes disadvantaged children.
Recently, we have developed a number of ways for young people to be involved in shaping the Opportunity Areas programme.
In Norwich, for example, a youth board challenges the programme strategy. The youth board has also developed interventions for the area. It is hosting a celebration event in September to share their experiences of living in Norwich and to discuss what social mobility means to them.
We also fund a number of research projects, in London and elsewhere, that involve disadvantaged children. These include our pilots on free holiday activities and meals for disadvantaged families.
Asked by: Andy Slaughter (Labour - Hammersmith)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department has taken to respond to concerns raised by young people during the Greater London Authority’s second London Children’s Rights Inquiry held in November 2017.
Answered by Anne Milton
The department welcomes the Greater London Authority’s (GLAs) commitment during this event to listen to its young people and bring together different organisations to discuss the important issues of jobs, apprenticeships and training.
We have already put in place a number of policies to improve young peoples’ participation in post-16 education and training. Since 2013, all young people have been required to participate in education or training until they are 18. Local authorities have to track young peoples’ activity to identify those who are not participating in education or training and to encourage and support them to do so.
Additionally, apprenticeships are accessible to people from all backgrounds and we are encouraging take up in a range of ways, including a new partnership with five major cities in England to drive up apprenticeships among underrepresented groups. GLA is one of these cities.
We have also introduced traineeships, which support social mobility by providing quality training for young people who need to develop their skills and experience in order to enter the labour market.