Written questions by Frith.

What information her Department holds on the number of children withdrawn from mainstream education due to allergy-related safety concerns in schools in the last five years.

The department does not hold this data.

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the Child Poverty Strategy of Parentkind's report entitled The Missing Chapter, published in March 2025.

I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Bury North to the answer of 29 April 2025 to Question 46672.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Early Language Support for Every Child pilot programme on improved outcomes for deaf babies and children.

The department knows that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities frequently require access to additional support from a broad specialist workforce across education, health and care.Early Language Support for Every Child (ELSEC) is a pilot programme operating in the department's nine Change Programme Partnerships. It seeks to improve capacity and knowledge of the workforce that supports children with emerging, mild to moderate speech, language and communication needs in early years and school settings.ELSEC does not directly support deaf babies and children. However, the intention is that needs will be identified earlier and those who require specialist support will receive this in a more timely fashion, which could include children with hearing impairments.The department recognises the importance of teachers of the deaf and is continuing to support the pipeline of these teachers. There are currently seven providers of the Mandatory Qualification in Sensory Impairment (MQSI). Teachers who teach a class of pupils with sensory impairment are required to hold MQSI. Teachers working in an advisory or peripatetic role are also strongly advised to complete MQSI.The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) has developed a sensory impairment apprenticeship. IfATE worked with universities, local authorities and sector representatives, including the National Deaf Children’s Society, the Royal National Institute of Blind People and the British Association of Teachers of Deaf Children and Young People to develop the qualification. The apprenticeship is expected to be available from September 2025 and will open up a paid, work-based route into teaching children and young people with sensory impairments. This will improve the supply of those qualified to teach this important cohort and further help to improve their outcomes.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of including further education providers under the remit of the School Teacher Review Body in her Department's contribution to the Spending Review.

Further education (FE) colleges, rather than government, are responsible for setting and negotiating pay within colleges. Colleges are not bound by the national pay and conditions framework for school teachers, but are free to implement their own pay arra...

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of including further education colleges under the remit of the School Teacher Review Body from 2025-26.

Further education (FE) colleges, rather than government, are responsible for setting and negotiating pay within colleges. Colleges are not bound by the national pay and conditions framework for school teachers, but are free to implement their own pay arra...

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the curriculum framework for primary school science as part of her Department’s curriculum review.

The Curriculum and Assessment Review is being independently conducted by a group of education leaders (the review group) and chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE. The terms of reference were published in July and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/go...

Whether the Child Poverty Strategy will include the Holiday Activities and Food Programme.

Tackling child poverty is at the heart the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and improve the life chances for every child. For too many children, living in poverty robs them of the opportunity to learn and to prosper. The Child Po...

Whether she plans to reinstate the Music and Dance Scheme.

The Music and Dance Scheme (MDS) is a programme currently in operation, supporting exceptionally talented children and young people to access specialist education and training in music and dance.Funding of approximately £32 million is committed for the 20...

If she will make new capital funding available for school buildings in Bury North constituency; and if she will meet with (a) the hon. Member for Bury North, (b) representatives from The Derby High School and (

Ensuring schools have the resources and buildings they need is a key part of our mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life. The department is committed to improving the condition of the estate through the de...