here - United Kingdom Parliament

1263W
Written Answers
6 JUNE 2013
Written Answers
1264W
Free Schools
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education
how many complaints his Department received from
people or organisations applying to open free schools
about (a) personal attacks, (b) threats and (c) intimidation
related to their applications in each of the last two
years; and what steps his Department took in response
to each of those complaints. [157878]
Mr Timpson: Through verbal communications between
officials and free school groups, the Department has
been alerted to several incidents including a death threat,
persistent and intimidating behaviour towards a free
school group and teachers associated with free school
applications losing their jobs. The Department has also
been informed in writing of a personal attack, a threat
and an incidence of racist graffiti found on a free school
site.
A recent article in The Sunday Times included some
figures involved with free schools speaking about their
experiences dealing with instances of intimidation and
threats. This article is here:
http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/newsreview/education/
article1227033.ece
There was a further article in the Telegraph written by
the Chair of Governors of a free school in which they
detailed their experience of dealing with hostile attention.
The article is here:
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/tobyyoung/100203533/
michael-gove-writes-open-letter-to-the-informationcommissioner-about-free-schools/
Where we have concerns that incidents involved
potentially illegal activity, we have checked whether the
group has contacted the police.
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education
what monitoring is undertaken by his Department to
ensure that free schools do not discriminate against
applicants with disabilities. [158380]
Mr Timpson: Free schools are public authorities. As
such, they are subject to section 149 of the Equality Act
2010 and must have due regard to the aims of the Public
Sector Equality Duty.
Free schools are required by their funding agreement
to abide by the School Admissions Code 2012 and the
law relating to admissions. Paragraph 3 of the Annex to
the Admissions Code states that:
“An admission authority must not discriminate on the grounds
of disability; gender reassignment; pregnancy and maternity;
race; religion or belief; sex or sexual orientation, against a person
in the arrangements and decisions it makes as to who is offered
admission as a pupil.”
The Department’s guidance to groups considering
applying to open a free school makes clear that free
schools must adopt fair admissions practices and
arrangements, in accordance with the Admissions Code
and the School Admissions Appeals Code.
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for
Education if he will issue guidance to free schools to
ensure that interviews for places do not take place
during the school day. [158397]
Mr Timpson: Free schools are required by their funding
agreement to abide by the School Admissions Code
2012 and the law relating to admissions. Paragraph 1.9
(m) of the Admissions Code prohibits schools from
interviewing children or parents.
The Department’s guidance to groups considering
applying to open a free school makes clear that free
schools must adopt fair admissions practices and
arrangements, in accordance with the Admissions Code
and the School Admissions Appeals Code.
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for
Education what monitoring his Department
undertakes to ensure that free schools do not select
pupils on the basis of SATs results. [158398]
Mr Timpson: Free schools are required by their funding
agreement to abide by the School Admissions Code
2012 and the law relating to admissions. Paragraph 1.9
(d) of the Admissions Code prohibits the introduction
of selection by ability. Paragraph 1.9 (g) prohibits schools
from taking account of
‘reports from previous schools about children’s past behaviour,
attendance, attitude or achievement’.
The Department’s guidance to groups considering
applying to open a free school makes clear that free
schools must adopt fair admissions practices and
arrangements, in accordance with the Admissions Code
and the School Admissions Appeals Code.
Private Education
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for
Education what assessment he has made of changes in
the level of government regulation of independent
schools during the last five years; and if he will make a
statement. [158348]
Mr Timpson: The level of government regulation of
independent schools has remained broadly constant
over the last five years. In 2010 new standards regulations
were made, but these were based very closely on the
previous standards.
From 1 January 2013, additional requirements relating
to the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development
of pupils were introduced but at the same time the
standard for premises was simplified, and information
requirements were relaxed to allow cheaper, electronic
communication with parents.
Our aim is to keep regulation of independent schools
at the lowest level consistent with ensuring that pupils
are safe and properly educated.
Schools: Sports
Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for
Education what guidance his Department issues to
primary schools on the teaching of swimming. [158305]
Mr Timpson: The Government is committed to ensuring
that swimming takes place in schools. Swimming is an
important part of the national curriculum, which requires
that all pupils must be taught to swim at least 25 metres
unaided, and be able to use recognised swimming strokes
by the end of key stage 2 (age 11). It also requires that a
child can demonstrate an understanding of water safety.