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25 Oct 2005 : Column 213W—continued
Faith Schools
Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what mechanisms are used to monitor (a) the level of contact and (b) the outcomes of contact between faith schools and schools which do not select on the grounds of faith; and if she will make a statement. [20621]
Jacqui Smith:
Ofsted evaluates children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development in school, and the effectiveness of links with other providers, as part of each school's inspection. We encourage faith schools to work with non-faith schools, and with schools of other faiths. Working with the faiths involved in running maintained schools we have published examples of good practice on www.teachernet.gov.uk/faithschools.
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Geography Training
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the adequacy of training in geography given to primary school teachers. [18687]
Jacqui Smith: Earlier this year a working group of the Geography Focus Group looked at Initial Teacher Training and Continuing Professional Development in relation to geography. The focus group will report its recommendations in November. For further information on the focus group, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 21 October 2005, Official Report, column 1266W.
Gifted Pupils
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the expected cost of weekend masterclasses is for gifted pupils; and whether the teachers who will lead them will be paid an overtime wage. [20678]
Jacqui Smith: There are no plans to introduce a new national programme of weekend masterclasses for gifted pupils, though some are already available, including those brokered through the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth for its members and we encourage schools to arrange such support where that will be an effective way to cater for their gifted and talented pupils. The cost of a masterclass will vary depending on who runs it, how many learners it caters for, the nature of the activity involved and whether a charge is levied. Where appropriate, payments may be made for substantial or regular commitment to activities outside a teacher's directed time, including those taking place at weekends.
Grandparents (Caring)
Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance is available to grandparents who permanently care for their grandchildren on the different legal arrangements under which they can apply for care. [19517]
Maria Eagle: In 2004 the Department for Education and Skills issued a Fostering Publicity Pack to local authorities. The pack included a leaflet for local authorities to use with those caring for a relative's child. This gave some information on the law and on support available to carers.
The Department for Education and Skills has not issued comprehensive guidance to grandparents on the different legal arrangements under which they may permanently care for their grandchildren. However, a summary of the legal arrangements under which family members and friends may care for a child who cannot live with their parents will be included on the Every Child Matters website before Christmas.
A number of voluntary organisations also provide advice and support to grandparents.
Key Stage Tests
Mr. Gibb:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what percentage of primary school pupils
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achieved level 4 and above at Key Stage 2 in (a) reading, (b) writing, (c) mathematics and (d) reading, writing and mathematics combined in 2004; [17725]
(2) what percentage of primary school pupils achieved level 4 and above at Key Stage 2 in reading, writing and mathematics combined in (a) 2002 and (b) 2003; [17911]
(3) what percentage of primary school pupils have achieved level 4 and above at Key Stage 2 in (a) reading, (b) writing, (c) mathematics and (d) reading, writing and mathematics combined in each year since 1996. [18107]
Jacqui Smith: This information is available on the Department's website. The information on the proportion achieving level 4 in all of reading, writing and mathematics is available at http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000611/index.shtml. Information on the proportion achieving level 4 in reading writing and mathematics separately is available at:
Korean Studies
Sir John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will take steps to ensure that Korean studies continues to be available at universities; and if she will make a statement. [19891]
Bill Rammell: Higher education institutions are autonomous organisations responsible for their own academic direction and provision of courses in the light of student demand. Within that framework, we asked the Higher Education Funding Council for England for advice on how to secure and strengthen subjects of strategic national importance. After considering the views of the higher education sector and others with an interest, including those who have made representations on behalf of Korean studies, we will be responding formally to that advice shortly and a copy of that response will be placed in the Library.
London Skills Partnership
Mr. Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the main achievements of the London Skills Partnership. [16405]
Bill Rammell: Regional Skills Partnerships (RSPs), bringing together the Regional Development Agencies, the Learning and Skills Council, the Small Business Service, the Skills for Business Network, Jobcentre Plus and others, are in place in all the English regions.
The RSP for London is the London Skills Commission which brings together the main planning, funding and delivery organisations responsible for skills, employment and business support in the capital. Over the last three years, the Commission has
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established a regional framework for directing and influencing major spending plans and for galvanising new projects to meet the needs of London.
Government will continue to work closely with the Commission to ensure that it has the flexibility it needs to plan and deliver skills, employer and business support in a way that meets the needs of people who live and work in London.
Further details of the Commission's plans and activities for 2005–06 are included in the Commission's Prospectus and Action Plan which I have placed in the House Libraries.
Pensions
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her estimate is of the savings to the Exchequer of introducing a pension scheme retirement age of 65 years for all teachers and educational employees in the public sector from 2025; and if she will make a statement. [21421]
Jacqui Smith: Delaying to 2025 the introduction of a normal pension age (NPA) of 65 for members of the Teachers' Pensions Scheme would not reflect Government policy or be consistent with the principles agreed at the Public Services Forum. Those principles provide for NPA 65 to be introduced for new entrants as soon as practicable; and the pension terms of existing members to be discussed in scheme specific negotiations. The estimated net present value of the savings arising from reform of the public service schemes is expected to be around £13 billion over the next 50 years.
Savings to the Exchequer from introducing NPA 65 from 2025 have not been estimated and could be done only at disproportionate cost. It is, however, likely that delaying the introduction of NPA 65 until 2025 would absorb a substantial part of the expected £13 billion savings that will arise from the implementation of scheme reform within the framework of the principles agreed at the Public Services Forum.
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the effective rate of employer contributions is to final salary pension schemes for teachers in the public sector. [21580]
Jacqui Smith: The standard contribution rate for the Teachers' Pension Scheme is currently 19.5 per cent. of salary. Of this, the employer pays 13.5 per cent. and the employee pays 6 per cent. The contribution rate is set following each valuation of the scheme. I am expecting to receive the Government Actuary's report on the current scheme valuation early in the new year.
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