Further Education
Debate between Christian Matheson and Baroness Morgan of Cotes(8 years, 6 months ago)
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Nicky Morgan
Let me make some progress, and then I will take further interventions.
The shadow Secretary of State asked why we prioritised spending on five to 16 rather than 16 to 19. I wonder whether she has checked out what her own party did when they were last in Government. What is interesting to note is that per pupil student funding increased twice as fast for those aged five to 16 between 2005-06 and 2010-11 as it did for those in 16-to-19 education. That is the very thing that she accuses us of doing.
Nicky Morgan
I have said that I am not going to take any more interventions until I have made some more arguments.
As hon. Members decided not to do that, we cannot have a sensible debate—[Interruption.]
School Expansion
Debate between Christian Matheson and Baroness Morgan of Cotes(8 years, 7 months ago)
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Nicky Morgan
I thank my hon. Friend. I certainly do offer my congratulations to Rainham Mark grammar school, and I particularly thank all those working in the school. I was pleased to attend the grammar school heads reception here in the Palace of Westminster last week, and say thank you to everybody working in the schools. I particularly note that that school is sponsoring a school in special measures, and I pay tribute to the work it is doing there.
Christian Matheson (City of Chester) (Lab)
There is a fundamental contradiction in the Secretary of State’s statement. We can either have parental choice or we can have school selection: we cannot have both. Either the school chooses or the parents choose; we cannot have both. Does this new position suggest the Secretary of State is backing away from parental choice?
Nicky Morgan
I really do not know where the hon. Gentleman is coming from. The whole point of this is that it is about parental choice. [Interruption.] Families can absolutely choose; there is no compulsion to attend a grammar school. As I have already said, Trinity free school and the Knole academy will be nearby. There will be other schools as well. There is no contradiction. We are very clear: we believe in parental choice and we believe in excellent education for all.