Oral Answers to Questions

Henry Smith Excerpts

Monday 1st March 2021 Commons Chamber

[Nick Gibb]

Every step of the way we follow the science. We are focused on ensuring that we do everything we can to keep covid out of the classroom and minimise the risk of transmission. That is why schools are going to enormous lengths to increase hygiene levels and ensure that pupils wash their hands frequently throughout the day, and why there are bubbles so that pupils do not mix unnecessarily. There is increased ventilation. There are one-way systems, staggered lunch and break times, face masks in secondary schools, and we are testing all staff and secondary school pupils twice a week. As the Chief Medical Officer has said, the best place for pupils is in school, as that is best for their wellbeing and education.

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that children with special educational needs and disabilities receive a quality education.

[Nigel Mills (Amber Valley) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that children with special educational needs and disabilities receive a quality education.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Vicky Ford)]

The pandemic has been especially hard for children with special educational needs and disabilities, and their families. We have increased high-needs funding by £780 million this year, with another £730 million next year—a 24% increase. Our SEND review is well under way, and focuses on ensuring that the system supports and delivers for every child.

[Henry Smith [V]]

What particular educational support is being provided to children with dyslexia through the covid-19 pandemic restrictions?

[Vicky Ford]

That is an excellent question. We know that for children with special education needs, including dyslexia, the impact of school closures may have been greater than for other children. The additional £700 million of recovery funding announced last week, on top of the £1 billion already provided, can be used by schools for extra support for those with SEND. Of the 33 providers on the national tutoring programme, 26 have specific expertise in supporting children with special educational needs.