Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will meet with the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme to discuss the merits of ensuring the skills required for the ceramics industry are met through (a) the national curriculum and (b) her plan for apprenticeships.

The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18. The Review is looking at all subjects and wants to ensure a rich, broad, inclusive and innovative curriculum that readies young people for life and work. The Review’s final report and recommendations will be published in the autumn, at which point the government will respond.

The department will continue to support learners who wish to have a career in the ceramic industry through its technical education offer, with a range of qualifications available including T Levels, where there is an option to specialise in ceramic making, and apprenticeships.

Employers have developed the level 3 craft technician apprenticeship standard, which includes a ceramicist option. The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) is working to agree an end-point assessment organisation to enable starts onto this standard. IfATE’s functions will shortly transfer to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education to be implemented in future by Skills England.