Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Henry Smith and David Laws

Monday 9th September 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Laws]

The hon. Gentleman is right to point out that from 2003 onwards, the Office for National Statistics was pointing to one of the biggest increases in the birth rate for many generations. Those who are now on the Government Benches were warning the Labour Government that there would be a real crisis in primary school places. In spite of that, 200,000 places were removed between 2003 and 2010. Labour Members will be pleased to know that almost all the 200,000 places have been replaced by this coalition Government.

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

3. What assessment he has made of the outcome of Ofsted inspections of the first free schools.

Pupil Premium

Debate between Henry Smith and David Laws

Wednesday 17th July 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Laws]

My hon. Friend makes an extremely important point, and I very much enjoyed my visit to Grangetown primary school in his constituency. The pupils left us with a rather large picture, 6 feet tall, which is currently hanging in my office. That school, as I recall, will be a massive beneficiary of the pupil premium investment, as something like 80% of its youngsters are entitled to the pupil premium. In a very challenging environment, the school has noticed that the additional money makes a massive difference to this school’s ability to deliver for its youngsters. My hon. Friend is right to say that, particularly in the context of an early baseline test, we need carefully to consider the impact of measuring youngsters’ achievement at a very young age and the impact of their age on their likely attainment. That important point should be properly considered.

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

I very much welcome the enhancement of the pupil premium—a policy that has greatly benefited disadvantaged pupils in Crawley. I seek assurances on the assessment of pupils; will those with dyslexia receive the proper support?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Henry Smith and David Laws

Monday 21st January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Laws]

We note carefully hon. Members’ representations about UTC applications in their areas. Obviously, I cannot comment on individual applications under consideration, but we note his support.

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

9. What steps he is taking to ensure that children with special educational needs receive a co-ordinated service across agencies.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Henry Smith and David Laws

Monday 29th October 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Laws]

That is an important point. Research from the Department will be published shortly, which will highlight the massive differences in the take-up of free school meals right across England. In some parts of England there is essentially 100% take-up, while in other parts almost a third of pupils do not take up free school meals. The Government will look at this and work with local authorities and schools to get those figures up.

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

11. What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of university technical colleges in delivering high-quality technical education.