Oral Answers to Questions

Jim Cunningham Excerpts

Monday 9th September 2013 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

As I said in my previous answer, it is up to schools and teachers to identify underperforming students and groups. The important thing is that we focus on this as early as possible. That is why we are focusing on improving quality in early-years education in order to make sure that students get the basics in terms of vocabulary and counting, which will lead to better performance later on.

[Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab)]

12. If he will make an assessment of the effects of the provision of study leave for students in years 11, 12 and 13 on exam performance.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Elizabeth Truss)]

On analysis of the absence data, we have found that when schools use study leave sparingly and ensure that students are doing the right thing, it can be beneficial for academic outcomes.

[Mr Cunningham]

Study leave before key exams can help high-performing students reach their potential, but can be to the detriment of lower to middle-performing students. Some schools are therefore cancelling study leave for all students. Will the Government advise schools to tailor their study leave policy so that students who would benefit from study leave are able to do so?

[Elizabeth Truss]

I completely agree with the hon. Gentleman. He is absolutely right that some students benefit from greater independent study and that others need more support at school. The Department’s work indicates that teachers are making those decisions. They are offering supported study, learning opportunities and drop-in sessions at school for some students, while others have the benefit of study leave. We issued advice to schools in August to make that clear to them.