Asked by: Saqib Bhatti (Conservative - Meriden and Solihull East)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of legislative changes to the statutory framework governing religious education.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
The government has not made assessments about the legislative framework applying to religious education (RE) or the Agreed Syllabus Conference model. We are clear that teaching on RE helps pupils understand the wide range of religions and beliefs, including non-religious beliefs, that exist in our country and the wider world.
The government firmly believes in the importance of religious education (RE). Good quality RE can develop children’s knowledge of the values and traditions of Britain and other countries, and foster understanding among different faiths and cultures.
The Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR) recommended that government should explore including RE in the national curriculum, contingent on sector consensus. The sector group has reached a consensus, as such DfE will consult on a draft RE curriculum in line with the national curriculum consultation in September.
Any definitions used in the CAR were a matter for the independent review itself.
Asked by: Saqib Bhatti (Conservative - Meriden and Solihull East)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment has her Department made of the effectiveness of the Agreed Syllabus Conference model established under the Education Act 1944.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
The government has not made assessments about the legislative framework applying to religious education (RE) or the Agreed Syllabus Conference model. We are clear that teaching on RE helps pupils understand the wide range of religions and beliefs, including non-religious beliefs, that exist in our country and the wider world.
The government firmly believes in the importance of religious education (RE). Good quality RE can develop children’s knowledge of the values and traditions of Britain and other countries, and foster understanding among different faiths and cultures.
The Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR) recommended that government should explore including RE in the national curriculum, contingent on sector consensus. The sector group has reached a consensus, as such DfE will consult on a draft RE curriculum in line with the national curriculum consultation in September.
Any definitions used in the CAR were a matter for the independent review itself.
Asked by: Saqib Bhatti (Conservative - Meriden and Solihull East)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment has her Department made of the contribution of religious education to a child’s learning.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
The government has not made assessments about the legislative framework applying to religious education (RE) or the Agreed Syllabus Conference model. We are clear that teaching on RE helps pupils understand the wide range of religions and beliefs, including non-religious beliefs, that exist in our country and the wider world.
The government firmly believes in the importance of religious education (RE). Good quality RE can develop children’s knowledge of the values and traditions of Britain and other countries, and foster understanding among different faiths and cultures.
The Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR) recommended that government should explore including RE in the national curriculum, contingent on sector consensus. The sector group has reached a consensus, as such DfE will consult on a draft RE curriculum in line with the national curriculum consultation in September.
Any definitions used in the CAR were a matter for the independent review itself.
Asked by: Saqib Bhatti (Conservative - Meriden and Solihull East)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what definition her Department used of the Religious Education sector during the curriculum review.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
The government has not made assessments about the legislative framework applying to religious education (RE) or the Agreed Syllabus Conference model. We are clear that teaching on RE helps pupils understand the wide range of religions and beliefs, including non-religious beliefs, that exist in our country and the wider world.
The government firmly believes in the importance of religious education (RE). Good quality RE can develop children’s knowledge of the values and traditions of Britain and other countries, and foster understanding among different faiths and cultures.
The Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR) recommended that government should explore including RE in the national curriculum, contingent on sector consensus. The sector group has reached a consensus, as such DfE will consult on a draft RE curriculum in line with the national curriculum consultation in September.
Any definitions used in the CAR were a matter for the independent review itself.
Asked by: Saqib Bhatti (Conservative - Meriden and Solihull East)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has had discussions with the Minister of State for Security on independent primary and secondary schools owned by Chinese (a) businesses and (b) nationals.
Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, regularly meets colleagues across government to discuss issues in education, including issues relating to school governance and ownership.
Asked by: Saqib Bhatti (Conservative - Meriden and Solihull East)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what information has been provided to schools about plans to phase out the Primary PE and School Sport Premium during the 2026/27 Academic Year.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
The government is committed to ensuring every child can access high-quality physical education (PE) and school sport by removing barriers to participation. As part of our curriculum reforms, work is underway to develop a new curriculum and assessment system that is ambitious and accessible for every child, focused rich in knowledge and in skills. Following the Curriculum and Assessment Review, we have outlined our commitment to revisit the activity list for PE GCSE, AS and A levels to ensure the list is inclusive to all children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). A revised PE national curriculum is expected in spring 2027, with first teaching from 2028.
To support these ambitions, the government has committed more than £1 billion to school sport over the next three years, including £580 million for a new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network, investment in sports facilities and transitional support for primary schools. This network will build on existing initiatives such as Inclusion 2028, working with the Youth Sport Trust to strengthen inclusive practice to ensure every child can participate, build confidence, and experience the benefits of school sport.
To ensure a smooth transition to the new approach, the government has confirmed £300,000 of funding for the Youth Sport Trust to continue delivering Inclusion 2028 until the end of the 2026/27 financial year, helping schools provide high-quality PE and physical activity opportunities for pupils with SEND.
Asked by: Saqib Bhatti (Conservative - Meriden and Solihull East)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Inclusion 2028 programme.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
The government is committed to ensuring every child can access high-quality physical education (PE) and school sport by removing barriers to participation. As part of our curriculum reforms, work is underway to develop a new curriculum and assessment system that is ambitious and accessible for every child, focused rich in knowledge and in skills. Following the Curriculum and Assessment Review, we have outlined our commitment to revisit the activity list for PE GCSE, AS and A levels to ensure the list is inclusive to all children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). A revised PE national curriculum is expected in spring 2027, with first teaching from 2028.
To support these ambitions, the government has committed more than £1 billion to school sport over the next three years, including £580 million for a new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network, investment in sports facilities and transitional support for primary schools. This network will build on existing initiatives such as Inclusion 2028, working with the Youth Sport Trust to strengthen inclusive practice to ensure every child can participate, build confidence, and experience the benefits of school sport.
To ensure a smooth transition to the new approach, the government has confirmed £300,000 of funding for the Youth Sport Trust to continue delivering Inclusion 2028 until the end of the 2026/27 financial year, helping schools provide high-quality PE and physical activity opportunities for pupils with SEND.
Asked by: Saqib Bhatti (Conservative - Meriden and Solihull East)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what measures is she taking as part of the new curriculum to ensure that disabled children can access and participate in PE and sport at school.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
The government is committed to ensuring every child can access high-quality physical education (PE) and school sport by removing barriers to participation. As part of our curriculum reforms, work is underway to develop a new curriculum and assessment system that is ambitious and accessible for every child, focused rich in knowledge and in skills. Following the Curriculum and Assessment Review, we have outlined our commitment to revisit the activity list for PE GCSE, AS and A levels to ensure the list is inclusive to all children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). A revised PE national curriculum is expected in spring 2027, with first teaching from 2028.
To support these ambitions, the government has committed more than £1 billion to school sport over the next three years, including £580 million for a new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network, investment in sports facilities and transitional support for primary schools. This network will build on existing initiatives such as Inclusion 2028, working with the Youth Sport Trust to strengthen inclusive practice to ensure every child can participate, build confidence, and experience the benefits of school sport.
To ensure a smooth transition to the new approach, the government has confirmed £300,000 of funding for the Youth Sport Trust to continue delivering Inclusion 2028 until the end of the 2026/27 financial year, helping schools provide high-quality PE and physical activity opportunities for pupils with SEND.
Asked by: Saqib Bhatti (Conservative - Meriden and Solihull East)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if her Department will publish a list of a) independent primary schools and b) independent secondary schools that are owned by Chinese businesses or Chinese nationals.
Answered by Olivia Bailey
The information the department holds on the management of independent schools is available via Get Information about Schools: https://www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/.
Asked by: Saqib Bhatti (Conservative - Meriden and Solihull East)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many independent primary and secondary schools have been taken over by Chinese businesses or Chinese nationals in the past five years.
Answered by Olivia Bailey
The information the department holds on the management of independent schools is available via Get Information about Schools: https://www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/.