Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to encourage schools to buy food from local food cooperatives through the updated school food standards.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The National Procurement Policy Statement, published in February, underscores the government's commitment to increasing the procurement of food that meets higher environmental standards and upholding ethical sourcing practises across public sector contracts. The department believes our high-quality British producers are well-placed to meet this. It is important that schools have flexibility in how they procure.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to ensure that teaching and guidance is given in schools to ensure that children understand caste discrimination.
Answered by Nick Gibb
Schools are encouraged to teach their pupils about the diverse national, regional, religious and ethnic identities in the United Kingdom through the citizenship national curriculum for KS4. Pupils should also be taught about the need for mutual respect and understanding. Pupils may also be taught about diversity and equality through the non-statutory personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) curriculum.
The Department for Education will shortly be publishing new guidance on promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development of pupils, highlighting the importance of pupils gaining knowledge and understanding of different cultures. Schools may achieve this through their whole school ethos as well as teaching of curriculum subjects.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what criteria are used to commission Ofsted to carry out spot inspections on schools.
Answered by David Laws
Ofsted has been carrying out Section 8 inspections at schools with serious behavioural problems since January 2014. No-notice inspections can also be triggered by parental complaints or safeguarding concerns.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, within what time period Ofsted is required to provide feedback to a school after it has reported to his Department.
Answered by David Laws
This question is a matter for Ofsted. I have asked Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw, to write to the hon. Member. A copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.