Written questions by Stafford.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that the experiences of children and young people with dyslexia are captured when measuring attainment at the end of secondary school.

The department is committed to ensuring the exam system is equitable for all students and that students with disabilities, including dyslexia, can access exams and assessments without disadvantage.Ofqual, the independent regulator of exams and assessments in England, has a statutory duty to ensure that assessments are a fair representation of a student’s knowledge and requires awarding organisations to put processes in place to ensure that all students can access assessments appropriately.The Equality Act 2010 also requires awarding organisations to make reasonable adjustments where assessment arrangements could place a student who is disabled within the meaning of the Act at a substantial disadvantage in comparison to someone who is not disabled.These adjustments can include, but are not limited to, extra time to complete assessments or assistance via a reader or a scribe, depending on the individual needs of the student.

What data her Department requires local authorities to collect in relation to the numbers of children with dyslexia in education in their area.

Information on the numbers of children with dyslexia is not collected separately by the department. Dyslexia is included within the wider special educational need type of ‘Specific learning difficulties’ (SpLD).All the information held by the department relating to children with SpLD is provided by schools via the school census. This data is also available for local authorities, enabling them to take informed decisions when supporting the needs of children in their communities.

What data her Department collects on children with dyslexia to improve understanding of the number of children with dyslexia in schools, their support needs in the classroom and their educational outcomes.

Information on the numbers of children with dyslexia is not collected separately by the department. Dyslexia is included within the wider special educational need type of ‘Specific learning difficulties’ (SpLD).All the information held by the department relating to children with SpLD is provided by schools via the school census. This data is also available for local authorities, enabling them to take informed decisions when supporting the needs of children in their communities.

What guidance and support are provided to schools to meet basic first aid requirements in the curriculum, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillator awareness.

I refer the hon. Member for Farnham and Bordon to the answer provided on 26 February 2026 to Question 111782.

When updated guidance on electric car salary sacrifice schemes for multi-academy trusts will be published; and whether interim measures will be provided to allow trusts to implement schemes in the meantime.

New electric vehicle salary sacrifice schemes in the public sector are currently paused whilst a cross-government review on these schemes is undertaken by HMT. Academy trusts with existing schemes can keep them in place but not expand them by adding new members. The department will inform academy trusts when a decision has been made, and the Academy Trust Handbook will be updated accordingly.

If she will take steps to ensure the Curriculum review includes a focus on practical financial skills.

The Curriculum and Assessment Review's final report was published on 5 November. As part of its focus on preparing learners for a changing world, the Review has recommended updating or strengthening five areas of applied knowledge: financial literacy, media literacy, digital literacy, oracy and climate education.The government’s response to the Review’s report was published on the same day. Through our reforms, children will be better prepared for the modern world.Improved financial literacy, taught from an early age, will help children and young people master money skills. The department will do this by making citizenship compulsory in key stages 1 and 2. Additionally, references to financial education in the mathematics and citizenship programmes of study will be strengthened, and the relevant content sequenced appropriately, so that content can then be applied to practical situations, contexts, and problems. We will ensure that key concepts relevant to financial education, such as calculating interest, are first introduced in mathematics.

Whether the ongoing Curriculum Review will include a focus on expanding or deepening the teaching of practical financial skills for pupils.

On 5 November, the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review published its final report which includes recommendations for a refreshed curriculum and assessment system in England. The government responded to this report. The response includes a commitment to strengthen pupils’ foundational understanding of financial education in mathematics and citizenship, with digital resources to support teaching.Work is now underway to deliver a new curriculum and assessment system that is ambitious for every child, rich in knowledge and strong on skills.The government is legislating so that academies will be required to teach the reformed national curriculum, alongside maintained schools. This will give parents certainty over the core of their child’s education.

Whether the Government plans to strengthen the enforcement and delivery of financial education across all types of schools.

On 5 November, the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review published its final report which includes recommendations for a refreshed curriculum and assessment system in England. The government responded to this report. The response includes a commitment to strengthen pupils’ foundational understanding of financial education in mathematics and citizenship, with digital resources to support teaching.Work is now underway to deliver a new curriculum and assessment system that is ambitious for every child, rich in knowledge and strong on skills.The government is legislating so that academies will be required to teach the reformed national curriculum, alongside maintained schools. This will give parents certainty over the core of their child’s education.

If she will make it her policy to extend the teaching of sun safety to secondary schools.

As part of the revised relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) statutory guidance, published on 15 July, schools must now teach facts about safe and unsafe exposure to the sun, and how to reduce the risk of sun damage, including skin cancer. In secondary school, the curriculum builds on this, and in addition covers the importance of pupils taking responsibility for their own health.

What steps she is taking to help consistent teaching of (a) safe and unsafe exposure to the sun and (b) how to reduce the risk of sun damage as outlined in the mandatory PHSE curriculum for primary schools.

As part of the revised relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) statutory guidance, published on 15 July, schools must now teach facts about safe and unsafe exposure to the sun, and how to reduce the risk of sun damage, including skin cancer. In secondary school, the curriculum builds on this, and in addition covers the importance of pupils taking responsibility for their own health.

What steps she is taking to help ensure that all primary schools are keeping children safe from the exposure to the sun during the school day.

Schools are responsible for safeguarding children in their care. We expect all schools to make sensible decisions about sun safety when temperatures are high.The department’s Education Hub website signposts the UK Security Agency’s advice for teachers and other educational professionals on looking after children before and after hot weather, and the Health and Safety Executive’s advice for schools as employers.We also expect schools to engage parents and pupils in discussions about what precautions are acceptable, including how schools adhere to the UK Security Agency’s advice around whether staff should administer sunscreen to younger pupils, whether children are allowed to carry their own sunscreen or cover up, wear sunglasses and a hat.The department has no plans to introduce a national sun safe policy for primary schools. We believe schools are best placed to determine what measures are practical within the context of their school to minimise the risks arising from pupils being exposed to the sun during the school day.

If she will make it her policy that all primary schools must adopt a national sun safe policy.

Schools are responsible for safeguarding children in their care. We expect all schools to make sensible decisions about sun safety when temperatures are high.The department’s Education Hub website signposts the UK Security Agency’s advice for teachers and other educational professionals on looking after children before and after hot weather, and the Health and Safety Executive’s advice for schools as employers.We also expect schools to engage parents and pupils in discussions about what precautions are acceptable, including how schools adhere to the UK Security Agency’s advice around whether staff should administer sunscreen to younger pupils, whether children are allowed to carry their own sunscreen or cover up, wear sunglasses and a hat.The department has no plans to introduce a national sun safe policy for primary schools. We believe schools are best placed to determine what measures are practical within the context of their school to minimise the risks arising from pupils being exposed to the sun during the school day.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 October 2024 to Question 8750 on Adoption, what recent progress her Department has made on providing support to people affected by historic forced adoption practices between the 1940 and 1970.

The government remains committed to ensuring that individuals affected by historical adoption practices receive the support they need and deserve. The department continues to follow up on the 2022 Joint Committee on Human Rights report, including actions to improve access to adoption records, enhance intermediary services, and support the preservation of historical records.The department continues to fund Adoption England, which has recently published new guidance to support consistent and legally compliant practice across all adoption services. Adoption England funds the pilot initiative FamilyConnect, a national advice line designed to support adopted adults, birth parents, relatives, and professionals by providing intermediary services and assistance with searching and accessing records.The department is planning to introduce regulatory changes, subject to Parliamentary approval, that will mean adoption case records for those adopted before 30 December 2005 are preserved for a minimum of 100 years.

What steps she is taking to ensure that specialist music and dance schools have enough funding to provide funded places for talented children from all socio-economic backgrounds; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing a multi-year grant settlement for those schools.

​​The government fully supports the arts and the development of a skills pipeline into the creative industries. ​The department is providing £36.5 million for the Music and Dance Scheme this academic year. ​Any introduction of multi-year funding agreements will be considered in due course.

What recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of financial education since it became part of the secondary curriculum in 2014.

I refer the hon. Member for Farnham and Bordon to the answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43513.

What training and resources are provided to teachers to enable effective delivery of financial education in schools.

I refer the hon. Member for Farnham and Bordon to the answer of 7 January 2025 to Question 21190.

Whether she plans to expand financial education into the primary school curriculum.

I refer the hon. Member for Farnham and Bordon to the answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43513.

What steps she is taking to ensure that financial education is delivered consistently across all schools.

I refer the hon. Member for Farnham and Bordon to the answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43513.

How the curriculum is adapted to keep pace with changes in financial products and technology, such as digital banking and online credit.

I refer the hon. Member for Farnham and Bordon to the answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43513.

What steps her Department is taking to improve training for teachers (a) in the early identification of dyslexia and (b) to ensure minimum standards of SEND support are in place across all primary schools.

I refer the hon. Member for Farnham and Bordon to the answer of 1 August 2025 to Question 61402.