Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that schools are incentivised to offer vocational and technical qualifications in creative subjects in Cornwall.

Creative subjects are important elements of a rounded and enriching education. We are transforming technical and vocational education from age 14, putting technical education on an equal footing with academic study.

We are developing new vocational GCSEs, which will combine strong subject knowledge with practical learning and have nationally set content, supporting clear progression into high-quality post-16 education and training.

We recognise that successful delivery depends on schools having the expertise and resources they need and will launch a consultation later this year to seek views on how best to deliver these changes.

Alongside this, we are engaging widely with schools and further educational colleges in local areas including Cornwall, so that provision reflects local needs and creates strong pathways into further study and skilled employment across England.