Oral Answers to Questions

Dominic Raab Excerpts

Monday 11th November 2013 Commons Chamber

[Matthew Hancock]

Yes, indeed, we are acting, having inherited a complete failure in careers advice. The Connexions service that the Labour party keeps talking about was well known to be a failing institution, and when it was taken apart, it was agreed across the House that that was the right thing to do because it was not delivering. Instead, we have put in place the sort of guidance and inspiration that will help and support people all the way through and into their careers. Ofsted will hold schools to account, and that is the right way to proceed.

[Mr Dominic Raab (Esher and Walton) (Con)]

11. What steps he is taking to allow head teachers greater autonomy in their schools.

[The Secretary of State for Education (Michael Gove)]

The welcome growth in the number of academies has provided more freedom for more head teachers to raise standards for more students, especially the poorest.

[Mr Raab]

I thank the Secretary of State for that answer. Although a formal teaching qualification may be a bonus, with Ofsted’s rigorous new inspection regime and performance-related pay, does he agree that it would be dogmatic in the extreme to force heads to fire 15,000 teachers, regardless of their impact in the classroom, just because they do not hold a piece of paper?

[Michael Gove]

That is a characteristically acute point from my hon. Friend. The most important thing we need to do is ensure that the quality of teaching in our schools is improving. Ofsted tells us that it is, and I am delighted to report that to the House. That is a result of our reforms.