Asked by: Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat - Colchester)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what aspects of nineteenth century and twentieth century (a) British and (b) world history are mandatory in the history curriculum in each key stage.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The requirements for the mandatory history curriculum in maintained schools in England are available online at:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-history-programmes-of-study.
A copy of this document is also available in the House Library.
Maintained schools must teach 11-14 year-olds the challenges for Britain, Europe and the wider world from 1901 to the present day. In addition to studying the Holocaust, this can include the First World War and the Peace Settlement, and the Second World War and the wartime leadership of Winston Churchill.
Asked by: Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat - Colchester)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make it her policy that study of the (a) First World War and (b) Second World War is made mandatory in the history curriculum.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The requirements for the mandatory history curriculum in maintained schools in England are available online at:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-history-programmes-of-study.
A copy of this document is also available in the House Library.
Maintained schools must teach 11-14 year-olds the challenges for Britain, Europe and the wider world from 1901 to the present day. In addition to studying the Holocaust, this can include the First World War and the Peace Settlement, and the Second World War and the wartime leadership of Winston Churchill.
Asked by: Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat - Colchester)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will issue guidance to schools and sixth form colleges that they should implement a replacement programme to introduce LED lighting in their buildings.
Answered by David Laws
The Department for Education has no plans at present to issue guidance to schools and sixth form colleges to replace all lighting in schools with LED lights. The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) together with the Carbon Trust and the Energy Saving Trust take the lead for government on research and publication of advice on LEDs. DECC are currently funding research and product development of LED lighting technology.
Departmental specifications quote the guidance on lighting design for schools produced by the Society of Light and Lighting (SLL), specifically Lighting for education, Lighting Guide No 5, published in 2011 (LG5). The Department worked with SLL to produce LG5 which replaced the Department’s Building Bulleting 90 Lighting Design for Schools in 2011. SLL has also published Guidelines for Specification of LED Lighting Products, 2012.
Asked by: Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat - Colchester)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make it her policy to implement a replacement programme to introduce LED lighting throughout her Department's buildings and sites; if she will estimate the proportion of lighting in her Department which is LED; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The Department for Education’s policy for new and replacement lighting is to consider the installation of LEDs, where appropriate, based on an assessment of suitability for the work setting and of the whole-life cost of the equipment.
The Department has made significant improvements to the energy efficiency and cost effectiveness of lighting across its estate through the introduction of LED lighting and compact fluorescent lamps. We have also improved the performance of our lighting systems by installing and actively maintaining passive infra-red and daylight level sensors.
The Department continues to review opportunities to install LED lighting across its estate to further reduce energy use, carbon emissions and ongoing maintenance costs.
Approximately 7% of lighting within the Department’s buildings is LED.
Asked by: Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat - Colchester)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make it her policy to allow a relaxation of up to four additional places in the maximum number of pupils in an infant class in areas where the demand exceeds the number of places available at the local catchment area school.
Answered by David Laws
There are no plans to raise the infant class size limit of 30 pupils per school teacher. The Department for Education believes that smaller infant classes have a positive effect on the progress of younger pupils.
However, there are already a small number of prescribed exceptions where the limit of 30 pupils per teacher can lawfully be exceeded. These exceptions exist to protect the most vulnerable children such as children in care, children with a statement of special educational needs or children who move into an area where there is no other suitable school place available for them.
Asked by: Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat - Colchester)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her policy is on providing psychiatric support for pupils aged between four and 11.
Answered by Edward Timpson
Teachers see their pupils on a daily basis and are often the first to notice changes in behaviour that may indicate a problem. The new 0-25 Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice, due to be implemented from September, makes it clear that schools should seek to identify underlying mental health conditions that their pupils have.
In June 2014 the Department for Education published advice on behaviour and mental health in schools, which is available online[1]. This guidance is intended to help schools support all pupils’ mental health and wellbeing so that they can succeed in school. It provides case studies, information and links to organisations that can be approached for advice. The guidance also includes the new Mind Ed e-portal which was launched earlier this year and is funded by the Department of Health.
The behaviour and mental health in schools advice will help schools identify pupils whose behaviour suggests they may have an unmet mental health need and provide the support they need. The advice makes clear that teachers are not expected to be experts in mental health. Any support or intervention should be provided by staff with sufficient skills and knowledge, supported by the SEN Co-ordinator as necessary. Schools may also choose to involve external specialists at any point to advise them on identification of needs and the provision of effective support and interventions. For more severe problems, schools might need to refer pupils to medical professionals working in specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, voluntary organisations and local GPs.
[1] www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-health-and-behaviour-in-schools--2
Asked by: Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat - Colchester)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department is working with the History of Parliament Trust and the publishers St James's House on a publication to be published in 2015 to mark 750 years of Parliament; what reports she has received of schools being asked to contribute sponsorship towards that publication; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The Department for Education is not involved with this publication, nor have we received any reports from schools regarding any such requests.
The new national curriculum for history, to be taught in maintained schools from September 2014, includes key developments relating to the history of Parliament ranging from Magna Carta and the emergence of Parliament to women’s suffrage in the early twentieth century. In addition, as part of the new national curriculum for citizenship, secondary age pupils should be taught about the development of the political system of democratic government in the United Kingdom, including the roles of citizens, Parliament and the monarch. Schools are free to choose which resources they use to teach the curriculum; the work being carried out by the Trust to educate young people about the history of Parliament through teaching resources and school competitions will help schools in teaching these key developments in British history.