My Lords, will the Minister clarify the position of parents in relation to first-tier tribunals, SEN and disabilities? The annexe about SEN that goes with the agreement and that was circulated to us makes it clear that parents and pupils at academies have the same rights of access to first-tier...

My Lords, will the Minister clarify the position of parents in relation to first-tier tribunals, SEN and disabilities? The annexe about SEN that goes with the agreement and that was circulated to us makes it clear that parents and pupils at academies have the same rights of access to first-tier...

I rise to speak to Amendment 17A in my name and those of my noble friends Lady Walmsley and Lady Garden. I entirely share the view of the noble Baroness, Lady Howe, in relation to not being too prescriptive. We also very much share her view that school governors should...

I rise to speak to Amendment 17A in my name and those of my noble friends Lady Walmsley and Lady Garden. I entirely share the view of the noble Baroness, Lady Howe, in relation to not being too prescriptive. We also very much share her view that school governors should...

Do the Government intend to move from parent governors being appointed to there being elections for parent governors? That would be a great step forward.

Do the Government intend to move from parent governors being appointed to there being elections for parent governors? That would be a great step forward.

My Lords, I join other noble Lords in supporting the noble Baroness, Lady Wilkins, in this amendment. Yesterday, when we had a debate about numbers and needs, we raised some questions about the funding formula. We also spoke about the ready reckoner which the Government have produced and which is...

My Lords, I join other noble Lords in supporting the noble Baroness, Lady Wilkins, in this amendment. Yesterday, when we had a debate about numbers and needs, we raised some questions about the funding formula. We also spoke about the ready reckoner which the Government have produced and which is...

My Lords, perhaps I may add one small thought to the debate. As I understand it, the parent governor will be not elected but appointed by the board of trustees for the academy. I think that that is a retrograde step. It is important that we have parent governors but...

My Lords, perhaps I may add one small thought to the debate. As I understand it, the parent governor will be not elected but appointed by the board of trustees for the academy. I think that that is a retrograde step. It is important that we have parent governors but...

Can the Minister explain how this will be monitored? He said that, if it is a low-incidence special educational need, the YPLA will be responsible for paying an extra premium in respect of that need. However, the YPLA is a payment agency, not an inspection agency. How will it monitor...

Can the Minister explain how this will be monitored? He said that, if it is a low-incidence special educational need, the YPLA will be responsible for paying an extra premium in respect of that need. However, the YPLA is a payment agency, not an inspection agency. How will it monitor...

My Lords, the amendment is in my name and that of my noble friends Lady Walmsley and Lady Garden. Clause 7 applies not to land but to items such as electronic hardware and software, furniture and cleaning or catering contracts. It permits the Secretary of State to make a property...

My Lords, the amendment is in my name and that of my noble friends Lady Walmsley and Lady Garden. Clause 7 applies not to land but to items such as electronic hardware and software, furniture and cleaning or catering contracts. It permits the Secretary of State to make a property...

160: Clause 7, page 6, line 11, at end insert— "( ) The Secretary of State before making a property transfer scheme shall consult with— (a) the local authority; (b) the current owner, if not the local authority; and (c) any other such persons as the Secretary of State considers...

160: Clause 7, page 6, line 11, at end insert— "( ) The Secretary of State before making a property transfer scheme shall consult with— (a) the local authority; (b) the current owner, if not the local authority; and (c) any other such persons as the Secretary of State considers...

I am grateful to the Minister and am glad that he is going to think about this. It seems to be natural justice that there should be some consultation with the owners of the property concerned. In the light of that, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment 160...

I am grateful to the Minister and am glad that he is going to think about this. It seems to be natural justice that there should be some consultation with the owners of the property concerned. In the light of that, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment 160...

My Lords, I shall speak to Amendments 112, 118, 123, 126 and 187, in my name and those of my noble friends Lady Walmsley and Lady Garden. The key amendment among them is Amendment 123, which has two purposes. In the first place, it asks the Secretary of State to...

My Lords, I shall speak to Amendments 112, 118, 123, 126 and 187, in my name and those of my noble friends Lady Walmsley and Lady Garden. The key amendment among them is Amendment 123, which has two purposes. In the first place, it asks the Secretary of State to...

Can the Minister clarify whether that means that every school that is outstanding which applies will automatically get an academy order, unless it has a deficit of over £100,000?

Can the Minister clarify whether that means that every school that is outstanding which applies will automatically get an academy order, unless it has a deficit of over £100,000?

My Lords, I will speak to Amendments 108 and 178 in my name and that of my noble friends Lady Walmsley and Lady Garden. I need not detain the Committee long at this time of night. Amendment 108 is slightly different in that it concerns the application to convert to...

My Lords, I will speak to Amendments 108 and 178 in my name and that of my noble friends Lady Walmsley and Lady Garden. I need not detain the Committee long at this time of night. Amendment 108 is slightly different in that it concerns the application to convert to...

My Lords, I want to say how much I agree with the noble Baroness, Lady Morris, and, unusually, disagree with my noble friend Lady Perry. The points that she makes about partnerships are precisely correct; indeed, a number of academies are part of these behaviour partnerships, which are working extremely...

My Lords, I want to say how much I agree with the noble Baroness, Lady Morris, and, unusually, disagree with my noble friend Lady Perry. The points that she makes about partnerships are precisely correct; indeed, a number of academies are part of these behaviour partnerships, which are working extremely...

I have also been a school governor in one form or another for getting on for 40 years. Training courses for governors are run not only by local authorities but also centrally, and they are quite detailed courses. There is also a training guide on the web. The noble Lord...

I have also been a school governor in one form or another for getting on for 40 years. Training courses for governors are run not only by local authorities but also centrally, and they are quite detailed courses. There is also a training guide on the web. The noble Lord...

My Lords, I am disappointed that the Minister was not more forthcoming on these amendments. It seems to me that over the years support staff have not been treated well and this was a positive move to give them status. However, given the lateness of the hour, I shall not...

My Lords, I am disappointed that the Minister was not more forthcoming on these amendments. It seems to me that over the years support staff have not been treated well and this was a positive move to give them status. However, given the lateness of the hour, I shall not...

185A: Schedule 2, page 17, line 26, at end insert— "( ) In section 133(6) (requirement to be qualified) omit the "or" after paragraph (a) and at the end of paragraph (b) insert ", or (c) an Academy". ( ) In section 212(1) (general interpretation) insert at the appropriate place...

185A: Schedule 2, page 17, line 26, at end insert— "( ) In section 133(6) (requirement to be qualified) omit the "or" after paragraph (a) and at the end of paragraph (b) insert ", or (c) an Academy". ( ) In section 212(1) (general interpretation) insert at the appropriate place...

My Lords, I tabled this amendment to ensure that academy support staff are not excluded from the School Support Staff Negotiating Body, which was set up under the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009. The establishment of this negotiating body was supported on all sides of the House. There...

My Lords, I tabled this amendment to ensure that academy support staff are not excluded from the School Support Staff Negotiating Body, which was set up under the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009. The establishment of this negotiating body was supported on all sides of the House. There...

My Lords, on behalf of Members on these Benches, we strongly support the amendment.

My Lords, on behalf of Members on these Benches, we strongly support the amendment.

My Lords, I am extremely grateful to the Minister. I think we all agree about the importance of good-quality careers education backed up by information, advice and guidance. I am extremely grateful to the noble Baroness for the reassurances that she has given us on this and for the fact...

My Lords, I am extremely grateful to the Minister. I think we all agree about the importance of good-quality careers education backed up by information, advice and guidance. I am extremely grateful to the noble Baroness for the reassurances that she has given us on this and for the fact...

moved Amendment No. 4: 4: After Clause 80, insert the following new Clause— ““Careers education for 16 to 18 year olds The Secretary of State shall by regulation under section 45B of the 1997 Education Act (c. 44) extend the scope of operation of sections 43, 44 and 45 of...

moved Amendment No. 4: 4: After Clause 80, insert the following new Clause— ““Careers education for 16 to 18 year olds The Secretary of State shall by regulation under section 45B of the 1997 Education Act (c. 44) extend the scope of operation of sections 43, 44 and 45 of...