UKPOL.CO.UK

Category: Education

  • Nadhim Zahawi – 2018 Comments on Tackling Child Abuse

    Nadhim Zahawi – 2018 Comments on Tackling Child Abuse

    The comments made by Nadhim Zahawi, the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families, on 5 March 2018.

    We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the social workers and other professionals who support the most vulnerable in our society, especially those who have been victims of abuse.

    The response to this consultation shows the strength of feeling among the sector on this extremely important issue, and it’s vital that we work directly with people on the ground, supporting them to carry out their work sensitively and efficiently.

    Decisions we make as a government should be with the ambition of improving outcomes for as many in society as possible, which is why we must listen to the views and experience of the sector as we progress further with our reform agenda.

  • Nadhim Zahawi – 2018 Comments on Support for Disadvantaged Students

    Nadhim Zahawi – 2018 Comments on Support for Disadvantaged Students

    The comments made by Nadhim Zahawi, the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families, on 7 February 2018.

    Academic standards are rising, with 1.9 million more children now in ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ schools than in 2010 and 9 out of 10 schools given this rating at their latest inspection.

    It is right that we must continue to offer the most disadvantaged young people additional help and I am pleased that, following public consultations, we can extend free school meals and the free early education entitlement for disadvantaged two-year-olds.

    Tens of thousands more children will be entitled to free school meals by 2022 compared to the previous benefits system.

    I’d like to thank everyone who responded to these consultations; their views will help to ensure every child can access a world-class education and the support reaches those that need it most.

  • Nadhim Zahawi – 2022 Comments on Bringing Children Back to Classrooms

    Nadhim Zahawi – 2022 Comments on Bringing Children Back to Classrooms

    The comments made by Nadhim Zahawi, the Secretary of State for Education, on 2 January 2022.

    Being in the classroom is undoubtedly the very best place for children and I’m looking forward to welcoming pupils back next week to continue their face-to-face learning, which is so important for their education and wellbeing.

    There is no doubt that the Omicron variant presents challenges but the entire education sector has responded with a Herculean effort, and for that I thank each and every one of you.

    The Prime Minister and I have been clear that education is our number one priority. These measures will bolster our support schools as we do everything in our power to minimise disruption.

  • Nadhim Zahawi – 2021 Comments on Healthy Food for Children

    Nadhim Zahawi – 2021 Comments on Healthy Food for Children

    The comments made by Nadhim Zahawi, the Secretary of State for Education, on 22 December 2021.

    Being healthy and active is a vital part of growing up, and if we want to continue to level up opportunities for every child in the country this must go hand-in-hand with an excellent education.

    I’m really encouraged to see the huge numbers of children benefitting from our Holiday Activities and Food programme and the National School Breakfast programme. Both provide not just the benefits of a nutritious meal but also the chance to take part in activities they may not otherwise have exposure to, such as music lessons, cookery classes or the arts.

    It’s great to see the latest evidence support what we’ve already seen first-hand in children’s lives. I’m grateful to those running holiday clubs this Christmas, and I urge teachers and school staff to sign up to the National School Breakfast Programme.

  • Nadhim Zahawi – 2021 Comments on Retired Teachers Returning to Schools

    Nadhim Zahawi – 2021 Comments on Retired Teachers Returning to Schools

    The comments made by Nadhim Zahawi, the Secretary of State for Education, on 20 December 2021.

    It has been my absolute priority since day one in the role to do everything in my power to protect education – which is why today I am asking any teachers no longer in the profession to come forward if they are available to temporarily fill absences in the new year.

    Although 99.9% of schools have consistently been open this term, with cases of Omicron increasing we must make sure schools and colleges have the teachers available to remain open for face-to-face education.

    Anyone who thinks they can help should get the process started now on the Get Into Teaching website, and everyone should get boosted now to help reduce the amount of disruption from the virus in the new year.

  • Amanda Spielman – 2021 Comments on Absences from School

    Amanda Spielman – 2021 Comments on Absences from School

    The comments made by Amanda Spielman, the Chief Inspector of Ofsted, on 16 December 2021.

    The pandemic is still with us, and children’s education is still being disrupted. But it’s clear that many school leaders and staff have responded to these challenges with tenacity, and demonstrated creativity in how they have supported children and learners’ education and personal development.

    Children have missed out so much already. And some pupils remain persistently absent from school for a variety of reasons. So, as we face further turbulence, we must do all we can to make sure children are able to continue learning in their classrooms.

  • Stephen Morgan – 2021 Comments on Disruption to Education

    Stephen Morgan – 2021 Comments on Disruption to Education

    The comments made by Stephen Morgan, the Shadow Schools Minister, on 15 December 2021.

    Children have been in and out of school facing ongoing disruption to education and wellbeing again this term. This cannot continue.

    The Government has continuously failed to plan ahead, but must act now and use the Christmas holidays to prevent the chaos seen last January.

    Labour is calling on Ministers to deliver a Christmas vaccine guarantee to ensure all 12 – 15-year-olds can get a jab during the holidays to keep kids learning next term. This must be delivered alongside practical ventilation measures in all schools, so teachers are not forced to open windows this winter.

  • Amanda Spielman – 2021 Comments on School Inspections

    Amanda Spielman – 2021 Comments on School Inspections

    The comments made by Amanda Spielman, the Ofsted Chief Inspector, on 13 December 2021.

    I am fully aware that schools are still facing very significant challenges as a result of the pandemic. So, I’m very pleased to report that schools are improving and being recognised for doing so. In fact, inspection results this term are very much in line with what we saw before the pandemic began, if not slightly improved. That will be a reassurance to parents and to schools as well.

    Our inspections are intended to be constructive and supportive, so I’m pleased that our survey results show they are valued by the vast majority of school leaders who have experienced one this term. But inspections are also incredibly important for children, who only get one chance at education and have already lost so much in the last 20 months.

  • Michael Gove – 2014 Comments on Expansion of Free Schools

    Michael Gove – 2014 Comments on Expansion of Free Schools

    The comments made by Michael Gove, the then Secretary of State for Education, on 19 June 2014.

    Free schools are giving thousands of children from ordinary backgrounds the kind of education previously reserved for the rich and the lucky.

    Thanks to our free school programme, many more parents now have a new school in their neighbourhood offering high standards and tough discipline. Free schools put teachers – not bureaucrats and politicians – in the driving seat, as they are the ones who know their pupils best.

    As part of our long-term economic plan, we are determined to deliver the best schools and skills for our young people, and free schools are achieving exactly that.

  • Michael Gove – 2014 Comments on New School Food Menus

    Michael Gove – 2014 Comments on New School Food Menus

    The comments made by Michael Gove, the then Secretary of State for Education, on 17 June 2014.

    These new food standards will ensure all children are able to eat healthy, nutritious meals at school.

    We now have a clear and concise set of food standards which are easier for cooks to follow and less expensive to enforce. Crucially we have achieved this without any compromise on quality or nutrition.

    There has been a great deal of progress in providing healthy school meals in recent years and these new standards will help deliver further improvements.