Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Gove and Bob Stewart

Monday 24th June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Michael Gove]

I respect teaching assistants. I am also very interested in what Reform has to say, but above all I obey what the Treasury tells me.

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

Will my right hon. Friend give me his assessment of how well the new Harris academy in Beckenham has been doing since its foundation?

[Michael Gove]

The Harris academy in Beckenham, like all Harris academies, is performing significantly better than its predecessor school. May I place on the record my gratitude for the visionary leadership shown by Lord Harris of Peckham, Sir Dan Moynihan and those Members of Parliament from Mitcham and Morden to Beckenham who have championed Harris academies, often in the teeth of opposition from the National Union of Teachers, the NASUWT and other unions that have acted as the enemies of promise?

School Funding Reform

Debate between Lord Gove and Bob Stewart

Tuesday 19th July 2011 Commons Chamber

[Michael Gove]

That plug has been registered, and I hope that it will appear in the South London Press and other newspapers that circulate in Croydon.

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

My constituency has one or two of the primary schools that are now in urgent need of repair. How long will it take before the doomsday survey of the fabric of our schools is completed and the funds are therefore available?

[Michael Gove]

We are prioritising that survey and we hope that it can take place within a year, but that need not mean that schools have to wait. They can make clear their specific needs and we will look at the evidence, judging school against school so that those most in need are prioritised.