Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 25 Apr 2018
School Funding
"The point has been made—you just made it—..."Laura Smith - View Speech
View all Laura Smith (Lab - Crewe and Nantwich) contributions to the debate on: School Funding
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 25 Apr 2018
School Funding
"The hon. Lady just made the point—..."Laura Smith - View Speech
View all Laura Smith (Lab - Crewe and Nantwich) contributions to the debate on: School Funding
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 25 Apr 2018
School Funding
"I am still getting used to this place, Madam Deputy Speaker. I apologise. The hon. Lady made the point that there is more funding going into the system, and I recognise that—it is true—but does she also accept that there are more children in schools, so that money is being …..."Laura Smith - View Speech
View all Laura Smith (Lab - Crewe and Nantwich) contributions to the debate on: School Funding
Speech in Westminster Hall - Mon 05 Mar 2018
British Sign Language: National Curriculum
"While I was training to become a primary school teacher during the early 2000s, I completed a placement in a mainstream primary school that had fully embraced the integration of all children. Teachers spoke with a special microphone that was tuned into the children’s implants, and every session was signed. …..."Laura Smith - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Mon 05 Mar 2018
British Sign Language: National Curriculum
"I hold my hands up and say that, although I learned a little sign language as a teacher, I am very much looking forward to the classes that my hon. Friend the Member for Blaydon (Liz Twist) is going to organise. As a Member of Parliament, I feel quite ashamed. …..."Laura Smith - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Mon 05 Mar 2018
British Sign Language: National Curriculum
"I am quite upset about the tone of the Minister’s message, after a debate in which we thought we were getting a bit of movement. As a former teacher, I put on the record that I completely disagree with his statements regarding teachers feeling supported at the present time. I …..."Laura Smith - View Speech
View all Laura Smith (Lab - Crewe and Nantwich) contributions to the debate on: British Sign Language: National Curriculum
Speech in Westminster Hall - Mon 05 Mar 2018
British Sign Language: National Curriculum
"I am not interrupting; I just want to make a point to the Minister. It is wonderful that deaf people and deaf children are exceeding what has been achieved previously and doing well in terms of their attainment, but these are not equal opportunities. Surely it is the Government’s responsibility …..."Laura Smith - View Speech
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Written Question
Thursday 8th February 2018
Asked by:
Laura Smith (Labour - Crewe and Nantwich)
Question
to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of consulting children on the effectiveness of national curriculum.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The review of the national curriculum was launched on 20 January 2011, and the new national curriculum was introduced in September 2014. It provides a broad and balanced education ensuring all pupils gain core knowledge across a range of subjects so that they get the best start in life. The curriculum combines the best elements of the world’s most successful school systems, with some of the most impressive practice from schools in England. The review was open and transparent and we consulted widely, including with pupils and students. We have no plans for a further review.
As part of Ofsted school inspections, inspectors seek the views of pupils on their experiences at school, including in relation to the curriculum, and have regard to those views in evaluating the school’s performance.
Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 06 Feb 2018
Free School Meals/Pupil Premium: Eligibility
"As a teenager, I was entitled to free school meals, but because of the stigma I did not take them. I used to refuse to queue up for my token, so I went without, which resulted in my developing a very controlling relationship with food and a lot of problems …..."Laura Smith - View Speech
View all Laura Smith (Lab - Crewe and Nantwich) contributions to the debate on: Free School Meals/Pupil Premium: Eligibility
Written Question
Friday 19th January 2018
Asked by:
Laura Smith (Labour - Crewe and Nantwich)
Question
to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effect of the 24 month lock-out for Postgraduate Certificate in Education students who fail one qualified teacher status test on delivering educational standards.
Answered by Nick Gibb
From 1 September 2012, all candidates who fail two re-sits (three test attempts in total) in either literacy or numeracy for the professional skills tests are not allowed further re-sits for two years. If a trainee teacher does not pass both tests within the allowed three attempts, it indicates that he or she is not yet ready in these areas.
The two-year waiting period is considered a reasonable time during which such candidates can work to become proficient at the skills assessed in the tests before further attempts. Practice tests are available on the Standards and Testing Agency website to help candidates prepare before taking the tests.
Data on the pass rate for the skills tests is available on the Standards and Testing Agency website. In 2015-16 89.6% of candidates, taking both tests passed within three attempts: http://sta.education.gov.uk/professional-skills-tests/skills-tests-statistics.