Asked by: Jeffrey M Donaldson (Independent - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to address the concerns of schools who state that the Centre Assessed Grades at GSCE and A level allocated to them were fair and balanced in contrast to other schools where predicted grades were inflated and resulted in a skewing of the overall results.
Answered by Nick Gibb
All centre assessment grades in England were signed off by head teachers or college principals who confirmed that they honestly and fairly represented the grades that these students would have been most likely to achieve if they had sat their exams as planned.
Following the release of A level results based on calculated grades, it became clear that there were far too many inconsistent and unfair outcomes for students. The Department agreed with Ofqual that grades for A levels and GCSEs should be awarded to students in England on the basis of students’ centre assessment grades or their calculated grades, whichever was higher. The Department believes this to be the fairest approach in the exceptional circumstances of this year, to avoid some students in England receiving grades that did not reflect their prior performance.
There was scope for schools to appeal where they believed that there had been errors of process, and students could also raise complaints if they had evidence of bias or discrimination. Schools have also been able to enter candidates for the exceptional autumn series to sit exams if they remain dissatisfied with their result.
The approach taken in Northern Ireland this summer was a matter for the Northern Ireland government and the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment Regulation.
Asked by: Jeffrey M Donaldson (Independent - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will take steps to ensure that an equitable system is in place for schools and students in the event that a predicted grade exam results system is introduced for exams in (a) October and November 2020 and (b) later in the 2020-21 academic year.
Answered by Nick Gibb
There are no plans to introduce a predicted grade results system in England for exams in the 2020-21 academic year. Exams and assessments are the best and fairest way of judging students’ performance, and we are clear in our intention that both the autumn and summer exam series should go ahead.
Most students taking exams in the autumn series received a centre assessment grade, based on an assessment of the likely grades that students would have obtained had exams gone ahead, or a calculated grade if that was higher. There is, therefore, no basis on which to award a different grade other than the student sitting the exam. Some students, for example some home-educated students, were not in a position to provide sufficient evidence for them to be able to receive a grade in the summer, and it remains the case that there would be insufficient evidence to award grades to those students unless they sit exams.
We continue to discuss arrangements for exams in summer 2021 with Ofqual, the exam boards, higher and further education representatives and other sector bodies to ensure that arrangements are fair and the 2021 cohort of students receive the qualifications they deserve.
The arrangements for awarding qualifications to students in Northern Ireland are a matter for the Northern Ireland government and the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment Regulation.
Asked by: Jeffrey M Donaldson (Independent - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of (a) exam boards and (b) the A level system; and what plans he has to compensate students that have been disadvantaged as a result of the leaking of exam papers by (i) exam boards and (ii) education providers.
Answered by Nick Gibb
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Jeffrey M Donaldson (Independent - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps have been taken by the Government in response to the recommendation in paragraph 6.2.3 of the Council of Europe Resolution 2036 (2015) on respecting the right of parents to provide their children with an education in conformity with their religious or philosophical convictions, while guaranteeing the fundamental right of children to education in a critical and pluralistic manner in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights, its protocols and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights.
Answered by Nadhim Zahawi
Education is a devolved matter and therefore any steps taken in response to the Council of Europe Resolution 2036 are a matter for the relevant devolved administration.
With regard to England, schools with a religious character make up a third of all state- funded schools and parents have a large degree of choice over how they can provide their children with an education in line with their own beliefs.
The government also firmly believes in the importance of religious education. Good quality religious education can develop children’s knowledge of the values and traditions of Britain and other countries, and foster understanding among different faiths and cultures. That is why it remains compulsory for all state funded schools in England and Wales, including academies and free schools, at all key stages. Parents also have the right to ask for their child to be withdrawn for religious education.
Religious education is part of schools’ activity to meet their legal duty to promote young people’s spiritual, moral and cultural development. We expect all schools to promote fundamental British values, and that includes encouraging mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
Asked by: Jeffrey M Donaldson (Independent - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Answer of 3 May 2016 to Question HL8119, what (a) her policy is on and (b) criteria will be used to allocate the £300 million for failing schools.
Answered by Nick Gibb
Our ambition remains that all schools should benefit from the freedom and autonomy that academy status brings. Our focus is on building capacity in the system to enable schools to convert voluntarily. We will also continue to convert all schools that are judged inadequate by Ofsted so they can benefit from the support of a strong sponsor.
It is important to be clear that the funding referred to in the previous answer is not solely for failing schools. As set out in our original response, it is funding that has been made available to support all schools converting to academy status, including failing schools.
The criteria for allocating pre-opening funding to converting schools is well established and remain unchanged. Voluntary converters receive £25,000 in order to contribute to the cost of conversion. Sponsored converters receive between £70,000 and £150,000, depending on the type of school and level of failure.
Asked by: Jeffrey M Donaldson (Independent - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the current criteria approved by her Department are for the establishment of an Initial Teacher Training Centre of Excellence.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The Government has not designated any Centres of Excellence in Initial Teacher Training, and therefore there are no established criteria. We intend to engage with the Initial Teacher Training sector to discuss the possible designation of Centres of Excellence in future, building on the proposal set out in the White Paper earlier this year.
Details about the methodology used for allocating training places for the 2017/18 academic year can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/itt-requesting-places-and-allocations-methodology-2017-to-2018. We expect to publish the full allocations made to providers for 2017/18 later this year.
Asked by: Jeffrey M Donaldson (Independent - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what Government policy is on the establishment of Initial Teacher Training Centres of Excellence.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The Government has not designated any Centres of Excellence in Initial Teacher Training, and therefore there are no established criteria. We intend to engage with the Initial Teacher Training sector to discuss the possible designation of Centres of Excellence in future, building on the proposal set out in the White Paper earlier this year.
Details about the methodology used for allocating training places for the 2017/18 academic year can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/itt-requesting-places-and-allocations-methodology-2017-to-2018. We expect to publish the full allocations made to providers for 2017/18 later this year.
Asked by: Jeffrey M Donaldson (Independent - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she expects to announce the names of the institutions that have been chosen to become Initial Teacher Training Centres of Excellence; and when the next round of selections will take place.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The Government has not designated any Centres of Excellence in Initial Teacher Training, and therefore there are no established criteria. We intend to engage with the Initial Teacher Training sector to discuss the possible designation of Centres of Excellence in future, building on the proposal set out in the White Paper earlier this year.
Details about the methodology used for allocating training places for the 2017/18 academic year can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/itt-requesting-places-and-allocations-methodology-2017-to-2018. We expect to publish the full allocations made to providers for 2017/18 later this year.