Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of primary schools employ a (a) play and (b) creative arts therapist in England as of 28 November 2022; and how many and what proportion of Ofsted reports published in 2022 made a positive mention of play and creative arts therapy.

The 2022 Schools White Paper set out the Government’s plan for all schools to provide safe, calm and supportive school environments, with targeted academic, pastoral and specialist support, helping children and young people to fulfil their potential. It is for schools to decide what support or therapies they provide, taking into account the needs of their pupils.

The Department collects information on the roles of staff employed by schools through the annual School Workforce Census each November: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england. Data from the November 2022 census is currently being collected and will be published in the summer of 2023.

Ofsted’s inspections focus on the quality of education provided for pupils and the outcomes they achieve rather than any specific pedagogical or therapeutic approach.