Oral Answers to Questions

Ian C. Lucas Excerpts

Monday 1st December 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gyimah]

The Secretary of State rightly takes an interest in this. In fact, all members of the Government recognise the quality of maintained nursery schools, and we will take all necessary steps to make sure that they can grow and continue to thrive.

[Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab)]

10. If she will make an assessment of the public benefit contributed by schools in the private sector.

[The Secretary of State for Education (Nicky Morgan)]

Public benefit tests are a matter for the Charity Commission. Schools in the independent sector make a significant contribution to the UK economy estimated at £9.5 billion per annum. Many have partnerships with state schools to share resources and teachers, drawing on the strengths of each member school to improve outcomes for all children across the partnership. One example is the Wimbledon schools partnership between King’s College school and over 20 state schools. Independent schools also act as academy sponsors, and 11 have been approved to do so.

[Ian Lucas]

Does the Secretary of State therefore reject Sir Michael Wilshaw’s assessment that public schools offer the state sector only crumbs from the table?