Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Maria Caulfield Excerpts
Monday 9th September 2019

(4 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Kemi Badenoch Portrait Mrs Badenoch
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I thank the hon. Lady for that question. We do not collect that information, but the Department has other schemes that are seeking to address the issue, including our holiday activities and food programme, which has supported children from disadvantaged families over the past two summers.

Maria Caulfield Portrait Maria Caulfield (Lewes) (Con)
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Female students at Priory School in Lewes were excluded on Friday simply for wearing skirts, which goes against the school’s new uniform policy. They are excluded today and will continue to be excluded until they wear trousers. What support can the Minister give to the families and pupils affected?

Nick Gibb Portrait Nick Gibb
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Decisions about school uniform are made at school level by headteachers and governing bodies. In formulating a uniform policy, a school must consider its obligations not to discriminate unlawfully. I would be very happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss her work to try to resolve the issue locally.