Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephanie Peacock and Justine Greening

Monday 11th December 2017 Commons Chamber

[Stephanie Peacock (Barnsley East) (Lab)]

Class sizes in Barnsley are above the national average. As a former teacher, I know the impact that that can have. Does the Secretary of State accept that it has a detrimental impact on pupils?

[Justine Greening]

As we have heard routinely today, school standards in England are rising. In the end, that is what parents care about. There are 1.9 million more children in better primary and secondary schools, and the phonics check is improving literacy outcomes tremendously. It would be good if Opposition Members welcomed that for once.