Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to use technology to improve school standards.

Technology is at the centre of mission-led government and our Plan for Change. The government is using the combined power of data, digital services and technology to modernise our education system, back our teachers and deliver for our children across the country.

We are investing £25 million in upgrading wireless networks in schools through our Connect the Classroom programme next year, which will enable thousands more children to get online at school.

We have published digital and technology standards to help schools and colleges make better decisions about technology, leading to safer, more cost-efficient practices and new learning opportunities for students.

Our new service ‘Plan technology for your school’ will cut time and money spent on buying tech, helping leaders navigate an often-complex market and ensuring every penny spent will mean better standards for pupils and teachers. Further information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/plan-technology-for-your-school.

The department is supporting teachers to use technology well. All new teachers will be trained on the effective use of assistive technology to support children with special educational needs and disabilities.

The EdTech Evidence Board pilot will explore how we build evidence of artificial intelligence products that work well, helping education settings choose products that work well for them and their classrooms.