Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of placing a statutory duty on Cornwall Council to provide Cornish language instruction in maintained primary schools and academies.

The study of languages is compulsory under the national curriculum at key stages 2 and 3 for all maintained schools, and for academies from 2028, following the passing of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act. Decisions about language provision are made locally by schools and academy trusts, enabling them to respond to the needs of their pupils and communities. The government recognises the importance of local language and cultural heritage, but has not assessed the merits of placing a statutory duty on Cornwall Council to provide Cornish language instruction in maintained primary schools and academies, and does not have plans to introduce a new ring-fenced funding stream for Cornish-medium education.