Written question asked by Lord Quirk (Crossbench) on Wednesday, 7 January 2015, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 21 January 2015. It was answered by Lord Nash (Conservative) on Tuesday, 13 January 2015 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Education: Standards

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the Ofsted Annual Report of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills 2013–14, with respect especially to (1) secondary schools (a) tolerating bad behaviour, (b) failing to challenge the most able, and (c) providing inadequate careers guidance, and (2) further education institutions (a) showing weakness in the teaching of English and mathematics, and (b) failing to provide useful careers advice.

Answer: We welcome Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector’s report which highlights continuing improvement in schools and further education. The report shows that there are now over a million more children being taught in good and outstanding schools than in 2010. The Chief Inspector is right to highlight areas which require further improvement and these matters will form part of the regular discussion between ministers and Ofsted. As part of its role, the Commons Education Select Committee will be taking evidence from the Chief Inspector about the Annual Report at its hearing on 28 January 2015 and we will consider the evidence from that session as part of our ongoing discussions with the Chief Inspector. As a government we are committed to ensuring high standards in schools across the country.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL3981
Session: 2014-15
Subjects: Discipline Further education English language Standards Vocational guidance Secondary education Gifted children Mathematics
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk