Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

John Howell Excerpts
Monday 6th January 2014

(10 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
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I was asked earlier by the shadow Secretary of State whether I would specifically refer to the three schools that have, understandably, been brought to the attention of the public because of their difficulties. I made it clear to him, as I am happy to make it clear to the hon. Gentleman, that in all of those cases, the advice from officials was clear that the school should open.

John Howell Portrait John Howell (Henley) (Con)
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5. What progress he has made on encouraging the take-up of academic subjects at GCSE and A-level.

Elizabeth Truss Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Elizabeth Truss)
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Since this Government took office, we have seen the number of students taking EBacc subjects, core academic subjects, rise by 60%. We are also seeing record numbers of students taking maths and science at A-level, which is good news because those are the subjects that universities and employers want to see students study.

John Howell Portrait John Howell
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I want to raise with the Minister the issue of academic subjects, and languages in particular. I am glad to hear that the introduction of the EBacc has reversed the decline, but what is she doing to ensure continued success?