Oral Answers to Questions

Alan Mak Excerpts

Monday 25th January 2016 Commons Chamber

[Nick Boles]

First, I should be delighted to meet the hon. Lady, but I would gently point out to her that those constituents who were failed went to school under a Labour Government.

[Mr Alan Mak (Havant) (Con)]

4. What steps her Department is taking to ensure that schools in every part of the country have access to high-performing teachers.

[Chris Davies (Brecon and Radnorshire) (Con)]

13. What steps her Department is taking to ensure that schools in every part of the country have access to high-performing teachers.

[The Minister for Schools (Mr Nick Gibb)]

We are committed to ensuring that children in every part of the country, regardless of their background or circumstances, benefit from an excellent education. High-quality teachers are central to that ambition. We have recently announced the establishment of the national teaching service, which will place some of our best teachers, including heads of department, in schools that need most support, particularly in areas of the country that find it hardest to retain and recruit good teachers.

[Mr Mak]

I thank the Minister for that answer. Roxanne Vines, the outstanding headteacher of Mill Hill Primary School in my constituency, took up her post following support and guidance from the Future Leaders Trust. Will the Minister join me in congratulating Roxanne on her headship and confirm that the Government will continue to support charities that help great teachers become great headteachers?

[Mr Gibb]

I am delighted to congratulate Roxanne Vines on taking up her post as headteacher at Hill Mill Primary School and wish her all the very best. High-quality headteachers are vital if we are to achieve our ambition of excellence everywhere. We are currently funding a range of prestigious development and leadership programmes and qualifications for headteachers and senior teachers through the hugely effective and successful Teaching Leaders and Future Leaders organisations.