Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Gibb and Tony Baldry

Monday 17th October 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gibb]

I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for her passion for the subject of maths education in this country. She is right to raise, and continue to raise, the issue. We will wait to see the outcome of the pilot of the twin maths GCSEs, and we will take into account its conclusions before considering what further reforms to maths GCSE we will make.

[Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con)]

6. What assessment he has made of the potential effect on student choices of the English baccalaureate.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Gibb and Tony Baldry

Monday 11th October 2010 Commons Chamber

[Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con)]

2. If he will discuss with Ofsted its arrangements for measuring value added by schools.

[The Minister of State, Department for Education (Mr Nick Gibb)]

The Department has regular discussions with Ofsted about its approach to school inspection, including its assessments of pupils’ educational attainment and achievement. That engagement will continue as Ofsted develops a new streamlined and refocused inspection framework built around the core areas of pupil achievement, teaching, leadership and behaviour and safety.

[Tony Baldry]

Can my hon. Friend assure me that the achievements of schools, such as Banbury school, which have challenging catchment areas will be fairly reflected in Ofsted inspection reports?

[Mr Gibb]

I can give my hon. Friend that assurance. Ofsted takes into account not just raw attainment at schools but the progress of pupils. Between September 2009 and March 2010, of schools in challenging areas, 10% were awarded the outstanding grading, compared with 11% of all schools.