Every parliamentary written question tabled by Neil O'Brien this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 41–60 of 131 · Department for Education
How much she plans to spend on the Best Start for Life programme in the (a) 2026-27, (b) 2027-28 and (c) 2028-29 financial years.
The department has allocated close to £1.5 billion over the next three financial years on improving family services and early years education. This funding includes both programme and capital funding, and is separate from the additional funding being provided for early years entitlements.
Whether she plans to reinstate two weeks of compulsory work experience in schools.
Earlier this year, we updated the careers statutory guidance reflecting the revised Gatsby Benchmarks of good careers guidance and included the new definition of meaningful workplace experiences to raise the quality of work experience.In this guidance we also set out the vision for this government’s priority for the delivery of two weeks’ worth of meaningful work experience for all pupils over the course of their secondary education, irrespective of background.Building on the Gatsby Benchmark 6 definition for Experiences of Workplaces, we will ensure that all pupils have multiple, meaningful and varied high-quality workplace experiences, including one weeks’ worth of workplace activities between years 7-9 and one weeks’ worth of work placement between years 10-11, progressively increasing their exposure to different places of work.We are currently piloting a new flexible model of work experience, designed to reduce barriers for young people, schools and employers. The department will set out more details of the work experience guarantee in due course.
What assessment she has made of the level of plagiarism in the education sector; and what steps her Department is taking to tackle plagiarism.
Cheating of any kind is unacceptable. It threatens to undermine the reputation of our world-class education sector and devalues the hard work of those who succeed on their own merit.Ofqual require Awarding Organisations to have robust policies and procedures in place to prevent, detect, and deal with malpractice, including plagiarism.The Joint Council for Qualifications have published guidance to support schools and colleges to identify and address concerns about plagiarism in exams and assessments, which can be found at: https://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/malpractice/plagiarism-in-assessments---guidance-for-teachersassessors/.Higher education providers are independent bodies responsible for their own approaches to preventing academic misconduct by students, including plagiarism, but are regulated in relation their assessment practices by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS sets the expectation that assessments must be designed in a way that minimises opportunities for misconduct and facilitates its detection where it does occur.
How much funding she plans to provide to (a) the National Careers Service, (b) the Education and Training Foundation, (c) WorldSkills UK and (d) the Careers and Enterprise Company in the 2025-26 academic or financial year.
As part of our Plan for Change, the government is investing in skills in order to drive economic growth and break down barriers to opportunity. The overall programme resource budget for apprenticeships, further education and higher education in the 2025/26 financial year is £15.8 billion. This includes funding for the National Careers Service, the Education and Training Foundation, WorldSkills UK, and the Careers and Enterprise Company.
How many and what proportion of looked after children (a) were and (b) were not Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children in each year since 2005.
Information on the number of looked after children, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC), is submitted to the department on an annual basis and is published at local authority level in our statistical release at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoptions.Figures on the number of UASC in each year since 2005 can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/32f71e7b-83b1-4494-96d7-08dd85738b16. This table also provides data on all children looked after at 31 March from which the number and proportion of non-UASC can be calculated. Similarly, the percentage of UASC can also be derived from this table.
With reference to her Department's transparency data entitled Breakfast clubs early adopters: schools in the scheme, published on 24 February 2025 and updated on 22 April 2025, for what reason 79 schools are no longer taking part in the scheme.
I refer the hon. Member for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston to the answer of 6 May 2025 to Question 47782.
With reference to the Answer of 28 June 2019 to Question 267249 on Schools: Closures, what the (a) postcode, (b) local authority area and (c) rural and urban classification is of each school that has closed with no direct replacement provision in each year since 21 June 2019.
Information on closures of state-funded schools, including the urban/rural classification for each school, is available on the Get Information about Schools (GIAS) website, which can be found here: https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Search?SelectedTab=Establishments.GIAS records a number of different reasons for closure, including closure as a result of amalgamation, “closure” where a school has been replaced by a successor institution (including academy conversions), as well as outright closure of provision.
What number and proportion of Level 7 apprenticeship (a) starts and (b) completions were for people aged (i) under 22 and (ii) 22 or over, in each year for which data is available.
The attached file shows level 7 apprenticeship starts and achievements for the 2015/16 to 2023/24 academic years broken down by learner age as requested.
With reference to the document entitled List of schools in the breakfast clubs early adopters scheme, last updated 22 April 2025, for what reason the number of schools participating in the breakfast clubs early adopters scheme fell between the first publication of that list and its most recent published update.
The total number of schools participating in the breakfast clubs early adopters scheme has increased since the initial list was published on 24 February.From the start of this term, the first 750 free breakfast clubs are opening in towns and cities across the country, supporting nearly 180,000 children with a healthy, nutritious start to their day.Over 3,000 schools expressed interest in joining the programme, so some movement was always expected as the department confirmed the final list.The department built in time between the announcement and the start of the scheme in order to work closely with schools, ensure plans were deliverable, and get clubs up and running from the first day of term.
If she will publish the (a) postcode, (b) local authority area and (c) rural urban classification for each state school that has closed and not reopened in another form in each year since 2000.
Information on closures of state-funded schools, including the urban/rural classification for each school, is available on the Get Information about Schools (GIAS) website, which can be found at: https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Search?SelectedTab=Establishments.GIAS records a number of different reasons for closure, including closure as a result of amalgamation, “closure” where a school has been replaced by a successor institution, including academy conversions, as well as outright closure of provision.
Pursuant to the Answer of 22 April 2025 to Question 44536 on Childcare: Finance, what role ministers played in allocation decisions; and in what way the four key criteria were (a) assessed and (b) scored.
The assessment process for applications to the school-based nursery capital grant was conducted in a fair and consistent manner across all schools. Awards to eligible schools were made based on application scores.Each application was evaluated by a team of officials from the department against four established criteria, using a six-point scoring scale. Any applicant that scored less than 2 in any criterion was eliminated from the process. Assessors reviewed each project based on the information provided in the application, the required supporting documentation and relevant school performance and financial indicators available to the department.After the initial assessment and scoring, a panel of commercial specialists conducted a moderation exercise. Applications were then ranked by total score and funding was awarded to the 300 highest-scoring projects.
How many (a) primary and (b) secondary schools received a lump sum payment in the last financial year; and for how many of those schools the lump sum represented (i) less than one, (ii) two to five, (iii) five to 10, (iv) 10 to 20, (v) 20 to 30, (vi) 30 to 40 and (vii) over 50 per cent of their total income.
The schools national funding formula (NFF) introduced in 2018 is used to distribute core funding for mainstream schools, for pupils from reception to year 11. The NFF determines how much funding each local authority receives, and local authorities then determine individual schools’ final allocations through their own local formulae.In both the schools NFF and local authority formulae, the majority of funding is distributed on the basis of pupil numbers and pupil characteristics. In line with the formula introduced under the previous government, every school receives a contribution to the costs that do not vary with pupil numbers, which is why both the national and local funding formulae provide a lump sum for every school, irrespective of their size.The table below summarises the proportion of the funding generated by local authority formulae that the lump sum represents in 2024/25.Lump sum proportionNumber of schools<1%91<2%1,3502<5%2,7445<10%5,89810<20%7,12820<30%2,05730<40%69640<50%217>=50%51Total20,150Further information can be found at the following link: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-funding-statistics/2024-25.
How many and what proportion of students (a) joined and (b) left each state school mid-year in each of the last three years.
The information requested is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.Information on the number of pupils in England as at January is published annually in the ‘Schools, pupils and their characteristics’ accredited official statistics publication, which can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics/2023-24.These statistics do not include pupil movements within the school year.
Which (a) state schools and (b) independent schools Ministers in her Department have visited since 4 July 2024.
The table below outlines information on the 69 schools visited by departmental Ministers, including the Secretary of State, between 4 July 2024 and 22 April 2025, in a Ministerial capacity. We have included state and independent primary, secondary and special schools. DateSettingIndependent or state?11/07/2024Woodmansterne PrimaryState11/07/2024Albion Primary SchoolState18/07/2024Croftway AcademyState18/07/2024Iqra Primary SchoolState19/07/2024St Kentigern's RC Primary SchoolState19/07/2024Trinity CoE High SchoolState05/08/2024Fonthill Primary SchoolState13/08/2024Westcourt Primary SchoolState20/08/2024Harton AcademyState02/09/2024Perry Hall Primary SchoolState04/09/2024Elm Grove Primary SchoolState05/09/2024Dilkes AcademyState12/09/2024Barmston Village Primary SchoolState16/09/2024St Peters CofE Primary SchoolState27/09/2024Long Lawford Primary SchoolState27/09/2024Rugby Free Secondary SchoolState07/10/2024JCoSS - Jewish Community Secondary SchoolState10/10/2024Rimon Primary SchoolState10/10/2024Barry Primary SchoolState10/10/2024Weavers AcademyState11/10/2024Chantry AcademyState15/10/2024Manchester AcademyState15/10/2024Co-op Academy ManchesterState16/10/2024Westwood AcademyState17/10/2024Colville Primary SchoolState18/10/2024Mount Pleasant Primary SchoolState24/10/2024Lemington Riverside Primary SchoolState24/10/2024Beech Hill Primary SchoolState24/10/2024Regent Farm First SchoolState24/10/2024Sunningdale SchoolState24/10/2024Benedict Biscop C.E. AcademyState07/11/2024St Michael's CofE Primary AcademyState14/11/2024Waterville Primary SchoolState21/11/2024Reach AcademyState28/11/2024Hawley Primary SchoolState02/12/2024Becontree Primary SchoolState05/12/2024Chesterton Primary SchoolState05/12/2024Haygrove SchoolState10/12/2024The Cavendish SchoolIndependent11/12/2024Campion SchoolState16/12/2024Harris Academy St John's WoodState16/01/2025All Saints Catholic Primary SchoolState22/01/2025Haberdashers Knights AcademyState30/01/2025Malmesbury Primary SchoolState31/01/2025Rushey Mead AcademyState10/02/2025Outwood Academy AdwickState13/02/2025Richard Cloudesley School Golden Lane CampusState20/02/2025Haltwhistle Primary AcademyState24/02/2025Peckover Primary SchoolState27/02/2025Ada Lovelace CofE High SchoolState06/03/2025Fair Furlong Community SchoolState14/03/2025Cardinal Heenan Catholic SchoolState17/03/2025Gatton SchoolState20/03/2025Oakdene Primary AcademyState20/03/2025King's College Maths SchoolState21/03/2025E-Act Parkwood AcademyState24/03/2025Minchinhampton Primary AcademyState24/03/2025Forest High SchoolState26/03/2025Cranmer Primary SchoolState31/03/2025Manor Fields SchoolState31/03/2025Fulbridge AcademyState01/04/2025Garden City AcademyState02/04/2025Millbank Gardens Primary AcademyState03/04/2025City AcademyState03/04/2025Mandeville Primary SchoolState16/04/2025Coleridge Primary SchoolState16/04/2025Ernest Bevin AcademyState22/04/2025Denbigh Primary SchoolState
What methodology her Department used to assess bid applications for the school-based nursery capital grant.
Bid applications for the school-based nursery capital grant were assessed on four key criteria: project overview and value for money, local need for childcare, approach to early years education and management of provision.
What estimate she has made of how many (a) weeks in the year and (b) hours each week recipients of the school-based nursery capital grant will be open.
The school-based nursery capital grant is capital funding awarded to schools to repurpose spare space in school buildings for the purpose of creating, or expanding, nursery provision.All schools, including those in receipt of the school-based nursery capital grant, will report termly through the school census details of all registered pupils who take up any of the funded entitlements to free education within that school. All schools are also required to report annually on the types of childcare offered, for example, before school, after school, holiday and under five. The information collected includes the opening and closing time as well as the number of weeks opened.
How much was spent in (a) cash and (b) real terms on Ofsted in each year since 1995.
This is a matter for His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver. I have asked him to write to the hon. Member for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston directly and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
How much funding was allocated to Ofsted in (a) cash and (b) real terms in each year since 1995.
This is a matter for His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver. I have asked him to write to the hon. Member for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston directly and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Which higher education institutions have been made subject by the Office for Students to (a) enhanced monitoring, (b) investigation, (c) a quality assessment report and (d) other quality related interventions; and when these interventions took place.
The Office for Students (OfS) is the non-departmental public body responsible for higher education in England. It is independent of government.In 2022/23, the OfS opened investigations into the quality of business and management courses at eight providers and of computing courses at three providers. It also opened investigations into grade inflation concerns at three providers and opened a further 12 investigations into potential non-compliance with condition B3, which sets minimum thresholds for student outcomes. Quality assessments are conducted as part of the quality investigations.The OfS began publishing the subject-based investigation case reports in September 2023. Details of these, including decisions about any regulatory action, can be found here: https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/about/how-we-are-run/key-performance-measures/kpm-11-efficient-regulation/.The OfS also publishes information about enhanced monitoring of providers. The OfS does not tell the department which providers are subject to enhanced monitoring, but where that enhanced monitoring follows an investigation, it is included in the case reports. The published case reports show that the OfS has decided to conduct enhanced monitoring of the University of Bolton (the OfS has since approved a change of name for the University of Bolton to the University of Greater Manchester) and the University of Bedfordshire, until such a point at which it judges the risk of non-compliance with its quality conditions to have been acceptably minimised.The OfS began publishing the B3 investigation case reports in July 2023. Details of these can be found here: https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/for-providers/quality-and-standards/how-we-regulate-student-outcomes/assessment-reports/.The case reports for the investigations into grade inflation concerns have not yet been published.The OfS does not share details about open ongoing investigations with the department.
How much and what proportion of (a) primary and (b) secondary schools' expenditure was on staff in each of the last three years.
Overall core revenue funding for schools totals almost £61.6 billion for the 2024/25 financial year. At the Autumn Budget 2024, the government announced an additional £2.3 billion for mainstream schools and young people with high needs for the 2025/26 financial year, compared to 2024/25. This means that overall core school funding will total almost £63.9 billion in 2025/26. Each school has autonomy to allocate their budgets, including for their staff, to best meet the needs of their pupils to ensure they have the best opportunities in life.The latest three years of published data for schools’ spending relates to the 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 financial years. Our estimates in the table below for the proportions of expenditure for teachers and support staff have been compiled by combining published expenditure data sets from academies, which budget by academic year, and local authority maintained schools, which budget by financial year. We have not included cash expenditure data as combining financial and academic year data on school expenditure for different types of schools is less robust for estimating expenditure amounts than it is for estimating proportions. The pattern of expenditure in both 2020/21 and 2021/22 was affected by COVID-19. Financial yearPrimary schoolsSecondary schoolsProportions of expenditure in 2020/21Teachers: 50.6% Support staff: 33.0%Teachers: 59.1% Support staff: 23.8%Proportions of expenditure in 2021/22Teachers: 49.0% Support staff: 32.8%Teachers: 57.4% Support staff: 23.8%Proportions of expenditure in 2022/23Teachers: 48.1% Support staff: 33.1%Teachers: 55.7% Support staff: 24.0% Further data on schools’ expenditure in the years following the 2022/23 financial year will be published in due course.