Written questions by Dhesi.

What recent steps have been taken to ensure that schoolchildren can participate in a wide range of sports in (a) school and (b) extra-curricular settings.

Awaiting answer.

What recent discussions has she had with (a) Universities and (b) the Student Loans Company regarding (i) support and (ii) alternative arrangements available for students impacted by the misclassification of weekend-only courses by providers.

Awaiting answer.

What recent discussions she has had with specialist sport providers for schools regarding the potential impact of the introduction of the PE and School Sport Partnerships Network on their services.

Awaiting answer.

What recent assessment she has made of the affordability of wraparound childcare in (a) Slough and (b) Berkshire.

Awaiting answer.

Whether further guidance will be published on the PE and School Sport Partnerships Network for schools.

Awaiting answer.

What recent discussions she has had with headteachers on the potential impact of changes to the Primary PE and Sport Premium on schools.

Awaiting answer.

What recent discussions she has had with speech and language (a) organisations and (b) specialists on their views on (i) SEND reforms and (ii) the support available to children with speech and language challeng

Awaiting answer.

What recent assessment she has made of the availability of speech and language therapy for children in Slough.

Awaiting answer.

What recent discussions she has had with British DanceSport Association on the adequacy of safeguarding legislation in protecting children who attend extracurricular activities.

Awaiting answer.

What recent assessment has been made of the adequacy of the definition of regulated activity with children in protecting (a) children and (b) vulnerable adults within the extracurricular sector.

The government is committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults, including those attending extracurricular activities. In most cases, those who deliver such activities, particularly those regularly undertaking unsupervised teaching, trainin...

What recent progress has been made on how Primary PE and Sport will be funded in the 2026–27 academic year.

The government has confirmed an investment over £1 billion in school sport over the next three years, including more than £580 million to fund the new Partnerships Network, improve school sports facilities and support primary schools as we move to the new...

When she plans to announce future funding arrangements for the Primary PE and Sport Premium.

The government has confirmed an investment over £1 billion in school sport over the next three years, including more than £580 million to fund the new Partnerships Network, improve school sports facilities and support primary schools as we move to the new...

What steps they are taking to increase the amount of UK made steel used in procurement contracts overseen by their Department.

The department strongly supports the UK’s Industrial Strategy, fostering a resilient economy that supports British businesses and creates good jobs in communities across the country. UK-produced steel has a significant role to play in construction and education projects. Our procurements are undertaken in accordance with Procurement Policy Note 022 “Procuring Steel in Government contracts”.From this financial year, contractors on the department’s construction frameworks will be required to report whether they have consulted the UK Steel’s Steel Catalogue. Contractors will need to confirm whether they are using UK steel and if not, explain why not.

With reference to paragraph 88 of the policy paper entitled UK Government Resilience Action Plan, published on 14 July 2025, how many meetings have been attended by civil servants within their Department in relation to the Home Defence Programme; which directorate in the Department owns the Departmental contribution to the Home Defence Programme; and what the job title is of the civil servant leading and cohering the Departmental contribution to the Home Defence Programme.

The Resilience Action Plan sets out the government’s strategic approach to how we will strengthen our domestic resilience and invest to protect the nation. Officials from the department regularly attend meetings to discuss the implementation of the Resilience Action Plan as well as matters of national security and defence.The department is actively supporting this work. Officials in the department are in regular discussions with the Ministry of Defence and other government departments about the critical role children and young people play.

With reference to page 92 of the Strategic Defence Review, how many meetings officials from their Department have attended on the national conversation on defence and security; which directorate in their Department is responsible for the departmental contribution to that national conversation; and what the job title is of the official responsible.

Officials from the department regularly attend meetings to discuss matters of national security, defence and resilience as well as the associated public communications required to deliver these lines of efforts. The conversation on national defence was a recommendation in the 2025 Strategic Defence Review (SDR), which the government accepted. The Ministry of Defence is the lead department for delivering the SDR, with support from the Cabinet Office, and particularly from the National Security Secretariat.As set out in the SDR, the national conversation will be a multi-year, cross-departmental effort designed to deliver on the whole-of-society approach to national security and defence allowing government, the private sector and public to play their part in strengthening the UK’s resilience to any potential future shocks. This work addresses the risks and threats the UK faces, including those below and above the threshold of an armed attack.The department is actively supporting this work. It plans to promote communications as part of National Preparedness Week later this year and is increasing engagement with its sectors on resilience issues.

With reference to paragraph 88 of the UK Government Resilience Action Plan, how many meetings Ministers in their Department have attended related to the Home Defence Programme.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has regular discussions with officials, external experts and ministerial colleagues on a range of issues, including national security, defence and resilience.The Home Defence Programme was established in August 2024 to build the UK’s resilience to any potential escalation to conflict. It is an evolving and enduring programme of work which provides defence, security and resilience planning, focused on aligning military and civil effort in the event of a period of crisis and international hostilities affecting the UK. It is informed by and reflects the recommendations from government strategies, including the Strategic Defence Review, National Security Strategy and Resilience Action Plan.The department is actively supporting this work. Officials in the department are in regular discussions with The Ministry of Defence and other government departments.

With reference to page 92 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, how many (a) public engagements and (b) private meetings Ministers in their Department have undertaken related to the national conversation on defence and security.

Ministers in the Department for Education have regular discussions with officials, external experts and ministerial colleagues on a range of issues, including national security, defence and resilience, and associated public communications. As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the national conversation will be a multi-year engagement designed to embed a whole-of-society approach, where the government, businesses, and the public all play a part in strengthening our resilience. This addresses the risks we face, including threats below and above the threshold of an armed attack.

What recent assessment has been made of the adequacy of teachers' pay in real terms.

Despite the challenging fiscal context, this government is taking action to restore teaching as the highly valued profession it should be. This includes prioritising pay with above inflation increases of almost 10% over two years.Our latest pay proposal of 6.5% over three years, when combined with the last two increases, would mean that teacher pay would rise by almost 17% across this parliament, equating to a real terms increase of almost 4%.Final decisions on the 2026/27 pay award will be made following recommendations from the independent pay review body process, which is ongoing.

What recent assessment has been made of the (a) availability and (b) adequacy of workplace mental health support available to (i) teachers and (ii) school staff.

The department takes the wellbeing and mental health of teachers and school staff very seriously.We have worked with the sector to develop the Education Staff Wellbeing Charter which can be used to inform a whole school or college approach to wellbeing. Over 4,300 schools and colleges have signed up.We fund Education Support to provide professional supervision for school and college leaders. Over 1,400 leaders have benefitted since April 2024.The department has funded a mental health lead resource hub to support mental health leads. This includes resources to support staff development and wellbeing.​Our Improve Workload and Wellbeing service provides resources for schools to reduce workload and improve wellbeing. The department also signposts to a range of mental health resources, including Education Support’s free 24-hour helpline.Employers have a duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees. Many employers provide employee assistance programmes offering confidential support and counselling. As the duty of care for staff wellbeing rests with employers, assessments of the availability and adequacy of workplace mental health support are made locally.

What recent progress has been made in recruiting 6,500 teachers.

We are making progress towards our pledge to recruit 6,500 additional teachers. The latest School Workforce Census reported 2,346 more secondary and special school teachers (FTE) in 2024/25 compared to 2023/24.The same publication also reported one of the lowest leaver rates in recent years, with 1,700 fewer teachers leaving the state-funded sector than the year before. More teachers are also returning to state schools than at any point in the last ten years. The latest data showed 17,274 teachers returned to the classroom.The future teaching pipeline is also looking positive. Latest initial teacher training census data shows strong growth in trainee numbers, with over 32,000 talented individuals beginning their training last September, a rise of 11% on the previous year, and we exceeded our STEM recruitment target for the first time since it was introduced in 2019.The number of physics trainees are up 36%, computing up 44%, and maths up by 16%. In total, the data shows an increase of 21% in STEM subjects, exceeding the trainee target, with 6,700 new entrants.