Parliamentary Search

Proceeding contribution from Baroness Walmsley (Liberal Democrat) in the House of Lords on Monday, 19 October 2009. It occurred during Committee of the Whole House (HL) and Debate on bill on Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill.

Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill

I think it would depend on the Minister, and I rather suspect that the Opposition’s attitude to the QCDA has more to do with their expectations of future glory and the wish to bring all this back and centralise it with the Secretary of State. We do not take the same view. I agree absolutely with the noble Lord, Lord Lucas, that schools should be freed up to innovate and not be restricted by an overly prescriptive curriculum. Our approach would be to have a minimum curriculum entitlement for all children and then a wide range of options for schools to offer what they believe would suit their children in their situation. Indeed, they have a duty to do that. However, a slightly more arm’s-length body such as the QCDA advising the Secretary of State is not quite such a bad idea as the Opposition think.

Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
713 c466 
Session
2008-09
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Complaints Children Assessments Accountability Curriculum Discipline Children's rights Advisory services Community relations Housing Finance Further education Inspections Functions Home education Qualifications Protection Pre-school education Powers Pupils Non-departmental public bodies Non-teaching staff Standards Schools Teachers Special educational needs Training Right of search Social services Vocational education Social workers Local Government Ombudsman Teaching methods Academies Children's centres Children's trusts Ofqual Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency Joint Advisory Committee for Qualifications Approval
Legislation
Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill 2008-09
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk