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6 Oct 2003 : Column 1138W—continued
Level 2 Qualification
Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how he will ascertain whether students seeking to access free tuition for a Level 2 qualification have no existing higher qualifications. [129697]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: We are working with the Learning and Skills Council to evaluate the use of existing data systems for checking whether applicants have already gained a relevant qualification. We shall be using the experienced gained in the Employer Training Pilots to assess the risks. The phased introduction of the entitlement provides the opportunity to test that light tough but robust validation procedures are in place.
National Literacy Strategy
Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the effect of the National Literacy Strategy on literacy skills among primary school pupils in (a) Chesham and Amersham and (b) Buckinghamshire. [129884]
Mr. Stephen Twigg: The National Literacy Strategy has transformed standards of literacy in our primary schools. Nationally, 75 per cent. of pupils achieved level 4 or above in the 2003 Key Stage 2 English tests, 10 percentage points more than in 1998.
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The results in Buckinghamshire LEA show that in 1998 73 per cent. of pupils achieved level 4 or above in English at Key Stage 2. In 2003 the figure was 80 per cent. We are unable to disaggregate results for schools in Chesham and Amersham.
Mr. Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the effect of the National Literacy Strategy on literacy skills amongst primary school children in Tynemouth constituency. [130388]
Mr. Stephen Twigg: The National Literacy Strategy has transformed standards of literacy in our primary schools. Nationally, 75 per cent. of pupils achieved level 4 or above in the 2003 Key Stage 2 English tests, 10 percentage points more than in 1998.
The improvement in literacy standards of pupils in North Tyneside LEA has been greater than the national improvement. In 1998, 65 per cent. of pupils achieved level 4 or above in English at Key Stage 2. In 2003 the figure was 77 per cent. We are unable to disaggregate results for Tynemouth schools.
Mr. Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the representations made by his Department to the Centre for British Teachers regarding the management and delivery of the primary (a) literacy and (b) numeracy strategies in the last three years. [131341]
Mr. Stephen Twigg: The Department for Education and Skills has a close working relationship with CfBT Education Services and is in daily communication with its representatives regarding the management and delivery of the primary literacy and numeracy strategies.
Mr. Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what changes his Department plans to make to the management and delivery of the primary (a) literacy and (b) numeracy strategies. [131343]
Mr. Stephen Twigg: The separate professional teams responsible for the delivery of the national literacy and numeracy strategies within the contract between the Department and CfBT Education Services have been brought together this year under the leadership of a new Director of the Primary Strategy. The Primary Strategy force has a central role in delivering the Government's commitments set out in "Excellence and Enjoyment".
Mathematics/Science Education
Mr. Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps have been taken to improve the recruitment of young people into electronic engineering since the publication of his Department's Research Report No.112, The Labour Market for Engineering, Science and IT Graduates: Are there Mismatches Between Supply and Demand? [131114]
Mr. Charles Clarke: My Department is working actively with the DTI and with the industry to address the issues raised. Following the recent Roberts Review, Government have announced the largest sustained growth in science and engineering expenditure for a decade, with £1.25 billion extra a year by 2005–06.
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We are improving the careers advice available to young people. We are committed to expanding higher and vocational education provision in order to deliver the skills and qualities that individuals need in the workplace. This includes the establishment of progression routes for vocational learning from Vocational GCSEs through to Modern Apprenticeships, Foundation Degrees and Graduate Apprenticeships.
Examples of collaboration between DTI, DfES and the sector includes 'Electronics in Schools' to enable more schools to provide the teaching of electronics within schools, therefore making 11–14 year olds more aware of electronics and the opportunities available, and the 'Shell Technology Enterprise Programme' which provides undergraduates with a placement in the field of electronics on completion of their degree.
One of the first Sector Skills Council's we have licensed is SEMTA, the Science, Engineering and Technologies Alliance. They will be the key to our on-going work in identifying and addressing gaps between the supply and demand of suitably qualified people.
Mr. Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what have been the student participation rates for physics at A level standard in the last five years. [131116]
Mr. Miliband: The number of entries for physics A level by all candidates in all schools and further education sector colleges in England in 1998–2002:
| Physics | Total GCEA level entries | Percentage of total GCE A level entries | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 28,642 | 666,479 | 4.3 |
| 2001 | 28,616 | 707,784 | 4.0 |
| 2000 | 28,945 | 709,580 | 4.1 |
| 1999 | 30,428 | 720,304 | 4.2 |
| 1998 | 30,605 | 724,852 | 4.2 |
Figures for 2003 are due to be published on 8 October 2003 and will be available on the Department's website.
Mr. Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what incentives his Department is giving to students to study mathematics and physics at A-level; [131117]
- (2) what action his Department is taking to encourage the development of (a) the Filtronics plc Maths Scheme and (b) other industry schemes to encourage young people to study mathematics at school; [131118]
(3) what progress has been made following the meeting between his Department's officials and Filtronics plc on 29 January to consider the Filtronics plc Maths Scheme. [131121]
Mr. Miliband: The Department does not offer incentives to students to study any particular A-level subjects. Students should choose those subjects which are the most appropriate for their individual skills and aspirations. The independent Post-14 Maths Inquiry is due to publish its final report by the end of October and has received evidence from a wide range of interested organisations, including Filtronic. The inquiry is expected to make recommendations on the curriculum, qualifications and pedagogy for those aged 14 and over in schools, colleges and higher education institutions to
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enable students to acquire the mathematical knowledge and skills necessary to meet the wide-ranging needs of employers and of further and higher education. In view of this, consideration of local initiatives and schemes such as Filtronic's should rightly take place once we have had the opportunity to consider the inquiry's final report.
Mr. Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what state scholarships there are to support students studying accredited courses in mathematics, physics and engineering. [131119]
Alan Johnson: There are no state scholarships available to students undertaking maths, physics or engineering courses. However, there is a range of statutory, targeted and discretionary financial support available to undergraduate students irrespective of discipline.
Microsoft
Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was paid to Microsoft in licensing fees by his Department and its agencies in each of the last three years; and how much has been budgeted for (a) 2003–04 and (b) 2004–05. [130681]
Mr. Charles Clarke: From our records the Department for Education and Skills has spent the following amounts on Microsoft products in licensing fees in the last three years:
| Year | Amount spent |
|---|---|
| 2000–01 | (40)1.4 million |
| 2001–02 | 538,000 |
| 2002–03 | 215,000 |
(40) Includes £1,130,000 on Computers within Reach Project.
For 2003–04 and 2004–05, £350,000 has been budgeted for each year.
Numeracy Strategy (Tynemouth)
Mr. Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the effect of the National Numeracy Strategy on numeracy skills among primary school children in Tynemouth constituency. [130389]
Mr. Stephen Twigg: The National Numeracy Strategy has transformed standards of numeracy in our primary schools. Nationally, 73 per cent. of pupils achieved level 4 or above in the 2003 Key Stage 2 mathematics tests, 14 percentage points more than in 1998.
The improvement in numeracy standards of pupils in North Tyneside LEA has been greater than the national improvement. In 1998, 59 per cent. of pupils achieved level 4 or above in mathematics at Key Stage 2. In 2003 the figure was 76 per cent. We are unable to disaggregate results for Tynemouth schools.
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