Written questions by Rosindell.

What steps she is taking to support grammar schools.

I refer the hon. member for Romford to the answer of 22 May 2025 to Question 52218.

What recent steps she has taken with local authorities to help improve special educational and disability needs provision in (a) England and (b) Romford.

The government’s ambition for all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is that they will achieve and thrive, and lead happy, healthy and productive lives. The department is working closely with experts on SEND reforms.The department and NHS England have been supporting local areas, including Havering, to improve their SEND service delivery for several years. This includes a monitoring, support and challenge relationship following an inspection by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Where a local authority does not meet its duties, we can take action that prioritises children’s needs and supports local areas to bring about rapid improvement.Ofsted and the CQC undertook a joint local area SEND inspection of Havering in March 2018 and received a positive outcome (the local area was not required to produce a written statement of action).

What steps she has taken to support (a) parents and (b) children with home-schooling in (i) England and (ii) Romford constituency.

Every child deserves to receive an education that helps them to achieve and thrive. Every parent has the responsibility to provide this for their child and may choose to do so by educating them at home. Whilst that responsibility rests with the parent, it is important that they can work with education professionals and local authorities to ensure that the best education is provided.The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, currently passing through Parliament, will require all local authorities in England and Wales to maintain registers of children who are not in school, including those who are home educating. Attached to this will be a duty on local authorities to provide support to home educating families who request assistance.The department’s data collection on elective home education provides information on each local authority area, including what support is currently offered. All support is offered at the discretion of the local authority in each individual case. This data is accessible at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/elective-home-education/2024-25-autumn-term.

What steps she is taking to improve the (a) availability and (b) quality of careers advice in secondary schools.

Schools and colleges are developing careers programmes for young people against the Gatsby Benchmarks, a clear set of standards for good careers guidance.Overseen by the Careers and Enterprise Company, a national network of 44 careers hubs delivers careers support to 95% of secondary schools and colleges. The hubs connect careers provision to the needs of local economies and leverage support from employers, through strategic partnerships with strategic and local authorities.Evidence shows that young people in schools and colleges achieving all eight Gatsby Benchmarks are 8% less likely to not be in education, employment or training. However, only 25% of schools and colleges fully achieve all benchmarks, so there is much more to do to.To address this, the government has embedded updated Gatsby Benchmarks into statutory guidance, for implementation from September 2025. Evidence-based improvements to the benchmarks ensure a world-class framework that will lead to better outcomes for young people.To boost work readiness, the government is also committed to ensuring every young person receives two weeks of work experience over the course of their secondary education. The goal is to ensure work experience builds up over time and focuses on growth sectors, such as advanced manufacturing and life sciences.

What steps she is taking to help reduce instances of peer-on-peer physical violence in state secondary schools.

All pupils deserve to feel safe and protected in school and the department expects all schools to take immediate and robust action if incidents of violence occur. The ‘Behaviour in schools’ guidance is clear that staff should respond predictably, promptly, and assertively in accordance with their school behaviour policy. In the most serious cases, suspensions and permanent exclusion may be necessary to ensure that pupils are protected and to maintain safe, calm school environments.The department also supports schools to address incidences of bullying with its guidance, ‘Preventing and tackling bullying’, and has published a research report, ‘Approaches to preventing and tackling bullying’, which includes practical case studies of effective practices to combat bullying.The department is establishing up to 90 new Attendance and Behaviour Hubs, focusing on supporting senior leaders to develop safe, supportive school cultures with high expectations for attendance and behaviour, including using data to identify and address areas of concern. The department has engaged with charities, academics, parents and young people, to understand the issues around bullying. We will use that input to inform ways of testing practice that we can share through hubs.

What steps she has taken with relevant authorities to reduce instances of peer-on-peer physical violence in state primary schools.

All pupils deserve to feel safe and protected in school and the department expects all schools to take immediate and robust action if incidents of violence occur. The ‘Behaviour in schools’ guidance is clear that staff should respond predictably, promptly, and assertively in accordance with their school behaviour policy. In the most serious cases, suspensions and permanent exclusion may be necessary to ensure that pupils are protected and to maintain safe, calm school environments.The department also supports schools to address incidences of bullying with its guidance, ‘Preventing and tackling bullying’, and has published a research report, ‘Approaches to preventing and tackling bullying’, which includes practical case studies of effective practices to combat bullying.The department is establishing up to 90 new Attendance and Behaviour Hubs, focusing on supporting senior leaders to develop safe, supportive school cultures with high expectations for attendance and behaviour, including using data to identify and address areas of concern. The department has engaged with charities, academics, parents and young people, to understand the issues around bullying. We will use that input to inform ways of testing practice that we can share through hubs.

What steps she has taken with (a) headteachers, (b) local authorities to reduce (a) mould and (b) damp in educational buildings.

The department takes the safety of children and those who work with them incredibly seriously.The department supports responsible bodies, such as local authorities, academy trusts and voluntary-aided bodies and their schools to meet their responsibilities to keep buildings safe and well-maintained, including addressing mould and damp.We do this through providing capital funding, rebuilding programmes and extensive guidance on estate management.We have increased capital funding to improve the condition of school buildings to £2.1 billion for the 2025/26 financial year, which is almost £300 million more than last year. This is in addition to the continuing School Rebuilding Programme.The department has also published Good Estate Management for schools, a guide and toolkit to support responsible bodies and their schools to manage their estates strategically, so that pupils can learn in a safe, effective environment.Responsible bodies should monitor any instances of persistent damp and seek professional advice, as water ingress may be an indicator of a problem with the fabric of the building.

What steps she has taken with relevant authorities to improve safeguarding policies in state secondary schools.

Schools and colleges have a critical role to play in protecting children and keeping them safe. We published statutory safeguarding guidance ‘Keeping children safe in education’ (KCSIE) which all schools and colleges must have regard to when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.Education’s involvement is fundamental at all levels of safeguarding arrangements. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will introduce a measure to place a duty on safeguarding partners to automatically include and strengthen the role of education and childcare settings in multi-agency safeguarding arrangements.This legislation ensures the full representation of education and childcare in operational safeguarding boards and systems, as well as at the strategic decision-making levels of safeguarding arrangements. It will also mean that all education and childcare settings must work together with safeguarding partners and ensure those arrangements are fully understood and applied in their organisations.

What steps she has taken with relevant authorities to improve safeguarding policies in state primary schools.

Schools and colleges have a critical role to play in protecting children and keeping them safe. We published statutory safeguarding guidance ‘Keeping children safe in education’ (KCSIE) which all schools and colleges must have regard to when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.Education’s involvement is fundamental at all levels of safeguarding arrangements. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will introduce a measure to place a duty on safeguarding partners to automatically include and strengthen the role of education and childcare settings in multi-agency safeguarding arrangements.This legislation ensures the full representation of education and childcare in operational safeguarding boards and systems, as well as at the strategic decision-making levels of safeguarding arrangements. It will also mean that all education and childcare settings must work together with safeguarding partners and ensure those arrangements are fully understood and applied in their organisations.

What steps she is taking to increase the number of grammar school places in (a) England and (b) Romford constituency.

There are no grammar schools in the Parliamentary constituency of Romford and the law prohibits new ones from opening. The department no plans to change this.The national funding formula, and wider education policies, support all state-funded schools equally, including grammar schools.

What steps she has taken to support grammar schools in (a) England and (b) Romford constituency.

There are no grammar schools in the Parliamentary constituency of Romford and the law prohibits new ones from opening. The department no plans to change this.The national funding formula, and wider education policies, support all state-funded schools equally, including grammar schools.

What steps she is taking to (a) promote and (b) support co-operation between the state and private education systems in England.

Around 70% of private schools affiliated with the Independent Schools Council hold charitable status. As charities, they are required to demonstrate public benefit and one way in which they do that is through partnerships with state schools. This activity should continue.

What guidance her Department issues to schools on the use of educational materials produced by (a) PETA and (b) other political and campaign organisations.

Schools are subject to statutory duties regarding political impartiality under section 406 and 407 of the Equality Act 1996. This means schools must not promote partisan political views and should ensure that pupils are provided with a balanced treatment of political issues. In 2022 the department published comprehensive guidance to support schools to meet their duties on political impartiality: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/political-impartiality-in-schools/political-impartiality-in-schools#using-external-agencies.This includes sections on choosing resources and working with external organisations.The department does not approve or monitor externally produced resources or track their distribution. We have also not met or corresponded with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and do not fund them.If a parent is concerned about a school using politically partial, inaccurate or inappropriate resources, they should raise the matter with the school immediately and, if necessary, escalate it through the school’s publish complaints process: https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-school.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of material produced by PETA on the school curriculum.

Schools are subject to statutory duties regarding political impartiality under section 406 and 407 of the Equality Act 1996. This means schools must not promote partisan political views and should ensure that pupils are provided with a balanced treatment of political issues. In 2022 the department published comprehensive guidance to support schools to meet their duties on political impartiality: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/political-impartiality-in-schools/political-impartiality-in-schools#using-external-agencies.This includes sections on choosing resources and working with external organisations.The department does not approve or monitor externally produced resources or track their distribution. We have also not met or corresponded with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and do not fund them.If a parent is concerned about a school using politically partial, inaccurate or inappropriate resources, they should raise the matter with the school immediately and, if necessary, escalate it through the school’s publish complaints process: https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-school.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that educational materials used in primary schools are (a) age-appropriate and (b) free from (i) extremist and (ii) emotionally manipulative content.

Schools are subject to statutory duties regarding political impartiality under section 406 and 407 of the Equality Act 1996. This means schools must not promote partisan political views and should ensure that pupils are provided with a balanced treatment of political issues. In 2022 the department published comprehensive guidance to support schools to meet their duties on political impartiality: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/political-impartiality-in-schools/political-impartiality-in-schools#using-external-agencies.This includes sections on choosing resources and working with external organisations.The department does not approve or monitor externally produced resources or track their distribution. We have also not met or corresponded with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and do not fund them.If a parent is concerned about a school using politically partial, inaccurate or inappropriate resources, they should raise the matter with the school immediately and, if necessary, escalate it through the school’s publish complaints process: https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-school.

If she will require campaign organisations that provide teaching materials to disclose data on (a) reach, (b) school uptake and (c) expenditure on education initiatives.

Schools are subject to statutory duties regarding political impartiality under section 406 and 407 of the Equality Act 1996. This means schools must not promote partisan political views and should ensure that pupils are provided with a balanced treatment of political issues. In 2022 the department published comprehensive guidance to support schools to meet their duties on political impartiality: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/political-impartiality-in-schools/political-impartiality-in-schools#using-external-agencies.This includes sections on choosing resources and working with external organisations.The department does not approve or monitor externally produced resources or track their distribution. We have also not met or corresponded with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and do not fund them.If a parent is concerned about a school using politically partial, inaccurate or inappropriate resources, they should raise the matter with the school immediately and, if necessary, escalate it through the school’s publish complaints process: https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-school.

Whether her Department has provided funding to support the educational activities of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in schools.

Schools are subject to statutory duties regarding political impartiality under section 406 and 407 of the Equality Act 1996. This means schools must not promote partisan political views and should ensure that pupils are provided with a balanced treatment of political issues. In 2022 the department published comprehensive guidance to support schools to meet their duties on political impartiality: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/political-impartiality-in-schools/political-impartiality-in-schools#using-external-agencies.This includes sections on choosing resources and working with external organisations.The department does not approve or monitor externally produced resources or track their distribution. We have also not met or corresponded with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and do not fund them.If a parent is concerned about a school using politically partial, inaccurate or inappropriate resources, they should raise the matter with the school immediately and, if necessary, escalate it through the school’s publish complaints process: https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-school.

Whether she plans to take steps to prohibit the use of educational materials produced by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in schools in England.

Schools are subject to statutory duties regarding political impartiality under section 406 and 407 of the Equality Act 1996. This means schools must not promote partisan political views and should ensure that pupils are provided with a balanced treatment of political issues. In 2022 the department published comprehensive guidance to support schools to meet their duties on political impartiality: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/political-impartiality-in-schools/political-impartiality-in-schools#using-external-agencies.This includes sections on choosing resources and working with external organisations.The department does not approve or monitor externally produced resources or track their distribution. We have also not met or corresponded with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and do not fund them.If a parent is concerned about a school using politically partial, inaccurate or inappropriate resources, they should raise the matter with the school immediately and, if necessary, escalate it through the school’s publish complaints process: https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-school.

Whether (a) his Department and (b) its agencies have (i) met and (ii) corresponded with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals on animal welfare policy in the last five years.

Schools are subject to statutory duties regarding political impartiality under section 406 and 407 of the Equality Act 1996. This means schools must not promote partisan political views and should ensure that pupils are provided with a balanced treatment of political issues. In 2022 the department published comprehensive guidance to support schools to meet their duties on political impartiality: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/political-impartiality-in-schools/political-impartiality-in-schools#using-external-agencies.This includes sections on choosing resources and working with external organisations.The department does not approve or monitor externally produced resources or track their distribution. We have also not met or corresponded with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and do not fund them.If a parent is concerned about a school using politically partial, inaccurate or inappropriate resources, they should raise the matter with the school immediately and, if necessary, escalate it through the school’s publish complaints process: https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-school.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of emotionally distressing (a) imagery and (b) language used in classroom materials provided by animal rights campaigners on children.

Schools are subject to statutory duties regarding political impartiality under section 406 and 407 of the Equality Act 1996. This means schools must not promote partisan political views and should ensure that pupils are provided with a balanced treatment of political issues. In 2022 the department published comprehensive guidance to support schools to meet their duties on political impartiality: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/political-impartiality-in-schools/political-impartiality-in-schools#using-external-agencies.This includes sections on choosing resources and working with external organisations.The department does not approve or monitor externally produced resources or track their distribution. We have also not met or corresponded with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and do not fund them.If a parent is concerned about a school using politically partial, inaccurate or inappropriate resources, they should raise the matter with the school immediately and, if necessary, escalate it through the school’s publish complaints process: https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-school.