Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Nic Dakin Excerpts
Monday 17th December 2018

(5 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Nick Gibb Portrait Nick Gibb
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I share my hon. Friend’s admiration for the Europa School. It teaches the European baccalaureate, which is of a very high standard. The continuation of that qualification will depend on discussions with the European Schools system after the UK leaves the European Union.

Nic Dakin Portrait Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)
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There has been a significant contraction in the post-16 modern languages curriculum as a result of the significant funding cut. Funding has been frozen since 2013-14. Is it not time to raise the rate so that that curriculum can get back to where it should be?

Nick Gibb Portrait Nick Gibb
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To make A-level foreign languages classes viable, we need more sixth formers to opt for the subjects. To raise the uptake of A-level, we first need to increase the number of pupils who take a GCSE in a foreign language, reversing the damage caused by the last Labour Government in 2004, when they downgraded the importance of languages.