Asked by: Jason McCartney (Conservative - Colne Valley)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will introduce lessons on managing the risk of injuries related to digital screen use to school curriculums.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The national curriculum sets out the essential skills and knowledge that children must be taught at school. Schools have the freedom to teach subjects or topics beyond the national curriculum to ensure that their pupils receive a rounded education.
Using technology safely is covered at each key stage in the computing curriculum, which is compulsory for all pupils aged 5-16 in maintained schools.
The programmes of study for the national curriculum in computing are published online at:
Asked by: Jason McCartney (Conservative - Colne Valley)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many legal cases are being brought against schools in the UK related to injuries caused by digital screen use.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The Department for Education is not aware of any legal cases that have been brought, or are in the process of being brought, against schools in the UK in relation to injuries caused by digital screen use.
Asked by: Jason McCartney (Conservative - Colne Valley)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many days of absence were reported to her Department on grounds of musculoskeletal injury in the (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and (c) 2014-15 school year.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The Department for Education does not hold information on absences resulting from musculoskeletal injury.
Asked by: Jason McCartney (Conservative - Colne Valley)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent meetings she has had with civil society groups on potential adverse health effects of introducing more technology in schools.
Answered by Edward Timpson
The Secretary of State has not met with any civil society groups to discuss the potential adverse health effects of introducing more technology in schools.
Asked by: Jason McCartney (Conservative - Colne Valley)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what research her Department has undertaken on the potential effect of digital screen use on students in the last five years.
Answered by Edward Timpson
There has been no specific research undertaken by the department on the potential effect of digital screen use on students in the last five years.
Asked by: Jason McCartney (Conservative - Colne Valley)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much her Department has spent on (a) tablet computers and (b) other new information technology for students in schools in (i) 2012-13 and (ii) 2013-14.
Answered by Sam Gyimah
The Department for Education does not provide schools with dedicated funds for information technology. We are therefore unable to advise on the volume or type of equipment that has been purchased. Headteachers manage their own budgets, prioritise spend and are best placed to decide on local requirements.
Asked by: Jason McCartney (Conservative - Colne Valley)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her policy is on the refund of VAT costs to sixth form colleges.
Answered by Nick Boles
All funding decisions, including the question of the VAT costs currently paid by sixth form colleges, will be considered in the round at the Spending Review.