Scheduled Event -
Tuesday 23rd April
View Source
Commons -
Ministerial statement - Main Chamber
Delivery of the Government's expansion of childcare entitlements
Department:
Department for Education
MP:
David Johnston
Written Question
Wednesday 30th November 2022
Asked by:
David Johnston (Conservative - Wantage)
Question
to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of adding a box for a second parent or guardian on the School Admission Application Form.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The School Admissions Code currently prohibits requiring both parents to sign the Common Application Form when they are applying for a school place for their child. This makes the process easier for families where it may not be possible for two parents to sign the form and ensures that a child is not discriminated against because they only have one parent. It also ensures that a child's family situation is not unlawfully considered in the application process.
In cases where parents are separated and both parents are involved in their child’s upbringing, parents will need to agree between themselves on the school they wish their child to attend and on which parent will sign the application form.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 22 Jul 2021
Awarding Qualifications in 2021 and 2022
"I welcome my right hon. Friend’s commitment to exams going ahead in 2022. Does he agree that they are particularly important for disadvantaged students, as we know from a number of studies that their potential is often underestimated by their teachers and it is only with their exams that they …..."David Johnston - View Speech
View all David Johnston (Con - Wantage) contributions to the debate on: Awarding Qualifications in 2021 and 2022
Written Question
Wednesday 30th June 2021
Asked by:
David Johnston (Conservative - Wantage)
Question
to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of including agriculture in the national curriculum.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The National Curriculum already includes topics related to agriculture such as food production, the environment, and types of land use in subjects such as geography, design and technology and science.
In the geography curriculum schools must teach pupils to describe and understand key aspects of human geography, including types of settlement and land use, economic activity including trade links, and the distribution of natural resources including energy, food, minerals and water. This is built upon in secondary schools where pupils are taught to understand how human and physical processes interact to influence and change landscapes, environments and the climate.
In science, pupils are taught to explore the requirements of plants for life and growth and how they vary from plant to plant. Guidance advises schools to support their teaching through the use the local environment throughout the year to observe how plants grow. Pupils should be introduced to the requirements of plants for germination, growth and survival, as well as the processes of reproduction and growth in plants.
The design and technology curriculum states that as part of their work with food, pupils should be taught to understand where food comes from, understand seasonality and know where and how a variety of ingredients are grown, reared, caught and processed.
The National Curriculum is a framework setting out the content of what the Department expects schools to cover in each subject and teachers have the flexibility and freedom to determine how they deliver the content in the way that best meets the needs of their pupils. If teachers wish, they can choose to cover particular topics in greater depth, for example food and farming.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 15 Jun 2021
Catch-up Premium
"There are a few curious things about this motion. One is that we debated the same subject just last week; we have had the G7 and the delay to step 4 of lockdown, but we are talking about the same thing. However, it is important, so I do not mind. …..."David Johnston - View Speech
View all David Johnston (Con - Wantage) contributions to the debate on: Catch-up Premium
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 10 Jun 2021
Ofsted Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges
"One of the most concerning, but unfortunately not surprising, aspects of this review is that young people are not reporting the sexual abuse and harassment they experience from their peers because of how often it happens. Does my hon. Friend agree that it is the job of everyone who works …..."David Johnston - View Speech
View all David Johnston (Con - Wantage) contributions to the debate on: Ofsted Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 09 Jun 2021
Investing in Children and Young People
"I think the point that the whole House agrees on is that teachers and schools did a tremendous job, and continue to do a tremendous job, throughout covid-19, and they have worked through all the holidays and were among the unsung heroes of the pandemic. The bit that we all …..."David Johnston - View Speech
View all David Johnston (Con - Wantage) contributions to the debate on: Investing in Children and Young People
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 13 May 2021
A Brighter Future for the Next Generation
"It is a pleasure to follow my hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner (David Simmonds), a fellow member of the Education Committee. It is also a pleasure to speak again in a Gracious Speech debate. The last time I did so was for my maiden speech, so …..."David Johnston - View Speech
View all David Johnston (Con - Wantage) contributions to the debate on: A Brighter Future for the Next Generation
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 03 Feb 2021
Support for University Students: Covid-19
"I welcome the additional money that the Government are providing today, but given that nearly all our universities charge the maximum fee every year, they all should be able to provide at least some support to ease the burden on students at this time. Part of the reason that they …..."David Johnston - View Speech
View all David Johnston (Con - Wantage) contributions to the debate on: Support for University Students: Covid-19
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 18 Jan 2021
Remote Education and Free School Meals
"I put on record my thanks to all the staff at the schools in Wantage and Didcot who have worked tirelessly through the pandemic to make sure that children and young people get at least some education. I do not think that there is a Member of this House who …..."David Johnston - View Speech
View all David Johnston (Con - Wantage) contributions to the debate on: Remote Education and Free School Meals