Asked by: Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat - North Shropshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding for schools in North Shropshire constituency.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
We are making a significant investment in the core schools budget, which we have already increased by £3.7 billion in 2025-26 compared to 2024-25.
The core schools budget is increasing by £1.7 billion in 2026-27. This includes funding that will enable us to reform the SEND system as announced within the Schools White Paper.
This investment is a critical step forward in our mission to support all children and young people to achieve and thrive and will support teachers and leaders to deliver high and rising standards across every school and for every pupil.
Shropshire local authority distributes funding for North Shropshire and is receiving £234.4 million for mainstream schools in financial year 2026-27 (including premises and excluding growth) through the Dedicated Schools Grant.
This equates to £6,556 per pupil on average, which represents an increase of 2.8% in per pupil funding since 2025-26.
The purpose of the NFF is not to give every school the same level of per pupil funding. It is right that schools with lots of pupils with additional needs – such as those indicated by measures of deprivation, low prior attainment, or English as an additional language – receive extra funding to help them meet the needs of all their pupils. The funding Shropshire receives reflects the level of additional needs of pupils in the local authority.
We are keeping the operation of the NFF under review, and will take the time needed to consider changes to our funding formulae going forward to ensure that we get any changes right. As announced in the Schools White Paper, we will move to a direct national funding formula for schools – which means that every mainstream school’s funding will be determined by the same, national formula. This will ensure that schools are funded on a fair basis wherever they are in the country, and will support wider reforms to create a more inclusive mainstream education system. We will consult on changes to the NFF ahead of the implementation of the direct NFF.
Asked by: Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat - North Shropshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of toilet provision at primary schools in North Shropshire constituency.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Under the School Premises Regulations 2012 or The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014, for maintained schools and academies respectively, each school’s responsible body must ensure that schools are maintained so that pupils’ health, safety and welfare is ensured.
The same regulations require that Responsible Bodies provide suitable toilets for pupils, which means they must consider factors such as the number, age and special requirements of pupils using the toilets.
The full set of the first Condition Data Collection (CDC1) data is presented at school or regional level in the House of Commons library here: https://depositedpapers.parliament.uk/depositedpaper/2285521/details. A summary of the CDC1 data can be accessed in the CDC1 key findings report here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/condition-data-collection-2-cdc2-programme.
CDC1 ran from 2017 and 2019 and includes all government funded schools in England. The successor programme, CDC2, reviews and refreshes CDC1 data. It does not yet cover all schools in scope and is due to complete in 2026.
Asked by: Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat - North Shropshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what data her Department holds on the number of primary schools without indoor toilets.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Under the School Premises Regulations 2012 or The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014, for maintained schools and academies respectively, each school’s responsible body must ensure that schools are maintained so that pupils’ health, safety and welfare is ensured.
The same regulations require that Responsible Bodies provide suitable toilets for pupils, which means they must consider factors such as the number, age and special requirements of pupils using the toilets.
The full set of the first Condition Data Collection (CDC1) data is presented at school or regional level in the House of Commons library here: https://depositedpapers.parliament.uk/depositedpaper/2285521/details. A summary of the CDC1 data can be accessed in the CDC1 key findings report here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/condition-data-collection-2-cdc2-programme.
CDC1 ran from 2017 and 2019 and includes all government funded schools in England. The successor programme, CDC2, reviews and refreshes CDC1 data. It does not yet cover all schools in scope and is due to complete in 2026.
Asked by: Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat - North Shropshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many schools have been identified as high fire risk in the latest Condition Data Collection by local authority area.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
237 schools and colleges in England had RAAC confirmed in areas of their buildings, none of which are in Shropshire. By the end of this Parliament, every school and college in England that isn't being fully or substantially rebuilt will be RAAC-free. All schools having RAAC permanently removed through the school rebuilding programme will be in delivery, with over half already underway.
The department’s current Condition Data Collection 2 (CDC2) programme is visiting every government-funded school in England to collect data about the condition of their buildings. CDC2 is a high-level, non-invasive, visual inspection of condition and not a structural survey. It does not collect structural risks, nor data on school compliance with all statutory and legislative responsibilities, including fire safety.
It is the responsibility of those who run our schools to ensure that fire risk assessments are undertaken regularly. The department provides guidance about fire safety to these responsible bodies, including in the ’Good estate management for schools’ guide, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/good-estate-management-for-schools/health-and-safety.
Asked by: Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat - North Shropshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many schools contain (a) RAAC and (b) other structural risks in the most recent Condition Data Collection for (i) Shropshire, (ii) North Shropshire and (iii) England.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
237 schools and colleges in England had RAAC confirmed in areas of their buildings, none of which are in Shropshire. By the end of this Parliament, every school and college in England that isn't being fully or substantially rebuilt will be RAAC-free. All schools having RAAC permanently removed through the school rebuilding programme will be in delivery, with over half already underway.
The department’s current Condition Data Collection 2 (CDC2) programme is visiting every government-funded school in England to collect data about the condition of their buildings. CDC2 is a high-level, non-invasive, visual inspection of condition and not a structural survey. It does not collect structural risks, nor data on school compliance with all statutory and legislative responsibilities, including fire safety.
It is the responsibility of those who run our schools to ensure that fire risk assessments are undertaken regularly. The department provides guidance about fire safety to these responsible bodies, including in the ’Good estate management for schools’ guide, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/good-estate-management-for-schools/health-and-safety.
Asked by: Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat - North Shropshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the estimated backlog of fire-safety-related repairs is across the school estate in (a) England, (b) Shropshire and (c) north Shropshire; and what proportion of that backlog relates to schools built before 1980.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Since the 2014/15 academic year, the risk protection arrangement (RPA) has received a total of 551 fire-related claims from members. 52 claims were from the West Midlands, 4 from Shropshire and 2 claims were specifically from North Shropshire.
Schools and their responsible bodies are not obliged to notify the department of fires at their premises and we therefore do not routinely collect or record this data more widely, nor information on fire-safety-related repairs.
The department provides guidance about fire safety to bodies responsible for schools, including in the ‘Good Estate Management for Schools’ guide, available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/good-estate-management-for-schools/health-and-safety. It is the responsibility of those who run our schools to ensure that a fire risk assessment is undertaken and kept up to date, reflecting the specific characteristics of the building for which it was written.
Asked by: Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat - North Shropshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many fires have been recorded in (a) North Shropshire constituency, (b) Shropshire, (c) the West Midlands and (d) England’s school estate in each of the last 10 years.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Since the 2014/15 academic year, the risk protection arrangement (RPA) has received a total of 551 fire-related claims from members. 52 claims were from the West Midlands, 4 from Shropshire and 2 claims were specifically from North Shropshire.
Schools and their responsible bodies are not obliged to notify the department of fires at their premises and we therefore do not routinely collect or record this data more widely, nor information on fire-safety-related repairs.
The department provides guidance about fire safety to bodies responsible for schools, including in the ‘Good Estate Management for Schools’ guide, available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/good-estate-management-for-schools/health-and-safety. It is the responsibility of those who run our schools to ensure that a fire risk assessment is undertaken and kept up to date, reflecting the specific characteristics of the building for which it was written.
Asked by: Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat - North Shropshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to (a) track school days lost due to dental problems and (b) reduce that number through preventive oral health programmes.
Answered by Olivia Bailey
The use of absence Code M and Code I allows schools to track pupils’ medical appointments and illness respectively. Accurate use and tracking of absence codes enables schools to know their pupils, understand why they are absent and provide appropriate support when it is needed.
Medical appointments and dental appointments are both marked using Code M. Schools are not expected to routinely request evidence of a medical or dental appointment. However, parents should get the school’s agreement in advance if it has not been possible to book the appointment outside of school hours.
If schools request further information about the nature of the medical appointment or illness, additional details may be recorded on the school’s Management Information System.
The Department of Health and Social Care is taking action to prevent dental problems, where tooth decay is the most significant for children. This includes implementing a national supervised toothbrushing programme, introducing healthier baby food standards and placing restrictions on junk food advertising.
Asked by: Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat - North Shropshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support St Martins School in North Shropshire constituency following the recent fire.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
St Martin’s School is a member of the department’s risk protections arrangement for schools (RPA). Regular stakeholder meetings, involving the RPA, Regions Group, and Education Estates officials, the loss adjuster, school, and trust are taking place. The RPA claim is progressing quickly, with primary pupils having been returned to face-to-face learning from 7 October.
St Martin’s School then began a phased reopening for secondary pupils following the securing of temporary accommodation to ensure a safe return to face-to-face education. The school has now undertaken the necessary repairs required to ensure the school site is safe to reoccupy.
Following the half-term break, 3 November was a planned inset day, and 4 November was dedicated to staff preparation to ensure classrooms were ready for the return of pupils. No pupils were on site either day. On 5 November, year 8 and 9 pupils returned to site, with year 10 pupils having returned on 6 November. From 7 November, all year groups were back in face-to-face education on the school site.
The school continue to work alongside the appointed loss adjustor and are being supported via the RPA.
Asked by: Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat - North Shropshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will answer Question 83934 of 21 October 2025 on support for St Martins School.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The response to Written Parliamentary Question 83934 was published on 13 November.