Schools That Work For Everyone Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Schools That Work For Everyone

Michelle Donelan Excerpts
Monday 14th May 2018

(6 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Damian Hinds Portrait Damian Hinds
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I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. It is absolutely vital that this opportunity is presented as widely as possible and to all primary schools.

Michelle Donelan Portrait Michelle Donelan (Chippenham) (Con)
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Will the Secretary of State confirm that he will keep under review the removal of the cap on faith schools? I appreciate the point about integration, but was a drop to 25% considered as a compromise?

Damian Hinds Portrait Damian Hinds
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We keep all policies under review. As I said earlier, having published the integration strategy we thought very carefully about this issue and determined that the best approach was to retain the 50% cap. There are of course various other requirements on new free schools to demonstrate their inclusivity, but there are also thousands of faith schools in this country not subject to a cap, and through the voluntary-aided route it will be possible to open them.