Written questions by Hinds.

To which English parliamentary constituencies each Secondary Planning Area relates.

Information on Secondary Planning Areas as of May 2023 is published at school level in the annual School Capacity statistics publication. This can be accessed here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-capacity. Secondary Planning Areas are groups of schools that can relate to more than one parliamentary constituency. Therefore, there is not a one-to-one list of parliamentary constituency to Secondary Planning Area. School level capacity data can be combined with information from ‘Get Information About Schools’ (GIAS) to identify parliamentary constituency. This can be accessed here: https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/. GIAS currently reflects the changes made following the general election parliamentary constituency changes.

What estimate she has made of the number of people employed in independent schools (a) as teachers and (b) in other roles.

Information on the full-time equivalent (FTE) number of teachers in independent schools is published in the ‘Education and training statistics for the UK’ statistical publication, which is available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.u...

What her planned timetable is for publishing results from the school census data collections of (a) 3 October 2024 and (b) 16 January 2025.

In accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics, statistics publications are pre-announced on the GOV.UK website and are available at: https://www.gov.uk/search/research-and-statistics?content_store_document_type=upcoming_statistics&organisations%5B%5D=department-for-education&order=updated-newest. The scheduling ensures that statistics are released as soon as they are ready, while abiding by standards set by the Code of Practice for Statistics, in terms of trustworthiness, quality and value. The Code can be found here: https://code.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/.

What her Department's projected spending is on breakfast club programmes for secondary schools in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26.

The department will be spending up to £11 million on the National School Breakfast Programme in 2024/25.The government has already taken decisive action by announcing in the King’s Speech that, under the Children’s Wellbeing Bill, every state funded school with primary aged pupils will offer a free breakfast club. Legislating for breakfast club provision will give schools the certainty they need to plan for the future.Future spending commitments, including on the Breakfast Club programme, will be set out as part of the Spending Review process. The department is working closely with schools and sector experts to develop a programme that meets the needs of children, schools and parents.

What her policy is on funding support for breakfast clubs at special schools.

The government is committed to making quick progress to deliver on its commitment to offer breakfast clubs in every school with primary aged pupils. Departmental officials are working closely with schools and sector experts to develop a programme that meets the needs of all children, including children with special educational needs and disabilities, schools and parents. The government has already taken decisive action by announcing in the King’s Speech that, under the Children’s Wellbeing Bill, every state funded school with primary aged children will offer a free breakfast club. Legislating for breakfast club provision will give schools the certainty they need to plan for the future. The department is committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, as well as ensuring special schools cater to those with the most complex needs, to restore parents’ trust that their child will get the support they need.

How many independent schools (a) opened and (b) closed in each year from the earliest year for which data are available.

The government has maintained a register of independent schools since the Education Act 1944 came into force in 1945. The register shows that 3679 independent schools have opened since 1945. Data on independent school closures is available from 1987 and shows 2674 independent schools have closed since 1987. The attached table outlines how many independent schools have opened and closed in each year. Data on school registration and closure can be found at. https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/.

What estimate she has made of the total amount of public funding for school breakfast clubs in (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2023-24

There are 2,700 schools participating in the National Schools Breakfast Programme. In 2023/24, £12 million was made available to fund the National Breakfast Club Programme. This government will now go further to ensure that every primary school age child can benefit from breakfast clubs. The department has taken decisive action by announcing in the King’s Speech that, under the Children’s Wellbeing Bill, every primary school in England with primary aged pupils will offer a breakfast club. Legislating for breakfast club provision will give schools the certainty they need to plan for the future. Before the legislation comes into force, the department will work closely with the sector to make sure the right support, including funding, guidance and resources, is in place.

What her policy is on the 2024-25 pay award for sixth form colleges that are not academies.

The government does not set or recommend pay in further education (FE), including in sixth form colleges. The pay and conditions of FE staff remains the responsibility of individual colleges and providers who are free to implement pay arrangements in line with their local needs.The department recognises the vital role that sixth form college teachers play, as well as other FE colleges, in developing the skills needed to drive the government’s missions to improve opportunity and economic growth. That is why the department is investing around £600 million across the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years. This includes extending retention payments of up to £6,000 after tax to eligible early career FE teachers in key subject areas, including in sixth form colleges. The department also continues to support recruitment and retention with teacher training bursaries worth up to £30,000 tax-free in certain key subject areas, and with support for industry professionals to enter the teaching workforce through the Taking Teaching Further programme.My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has announced a Budget on 30 October to be followed by a multi-year spending review in the spring of next year. Decisions about future post-16 funding and capital programmes will be subject to the outcomes of these fiscal events.

How many full-time equivalent teachers (a) there were in 2019, (b) there are in 2024 and (c) she plans to have in post by 2029.

The within-school and -college factor that makes the biggest difference to a child’s outcomes is high quality teaching. Although overall teacher numbers in state-funded schools in England have increased from 453,820 full-time equivalent (FTE) in November 2019 to 468,693 FTE in November 2023, teacher numbers have not kept pace with demand and there are currently shortages of qualified teachers across the country. That is why this government will work with the sector to deliver its pledge to recruit 6,500 additional teachers across schools and colleges over the course of this parliament to raise standards for children and young people and deliver the government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity at every stage.The department will share further details of the plans for delivery in due course. These measures will include getting more teachers into shortage subjects, supporting areas that face recruitment challenges, and tackling retention issues.The department has already made good early progress towards this key pledge by ensuring teaching is once again an attractive and respected profession. The department has accepted in full the School Teachers’ Review Body’s recommendation of a 5.5% pay award for teachers and leaders in maintained schools, which is effective from September. The requirement for performance related pay has also been removed.To aid retention, eligible early career teachers in priority science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and technical subjects will be able to claim targeted retention incentive payments worth up to £6,000 after tax from 14 October, with payments made available to college teachers in key STEM and technical subjects for the first time.Alongside this, the department is also supporting teachers to improve their workload and wellbeing, including opportunities for greater flexible working. Teachers are now allowed to undertake planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) time remotely and the department is also delivering a programme focused on embedding flexible working in schools and multi-academy trusts (MATs). This includes the delivery of supportive webinars and peer support provided by flexible working ambassador schools and MATs. ​Additionally, the department has made available a range of resources to help address teacher workload and wellbeing, including its ‘Improve workload and wellbeing for school staff’ service and the ‘education staff wellbeing charter’.The department has also expanded the school teacher recruitment campaign, entitled ‘Every Lesson Shapes a Life’, and the Further Education teacher recruitment campaign ‘Share your Skills’.The department is dedicated to working in partnership with the sector to re-establish teaching as an attractive profession and as one that existing teachers want to remain in, former teachers want to return to and new graduates and industry professionals wish to join.My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced a Budget on 30 October to be followed by a multi-year Spending Review in the spring of next year. Decisions about future funding will be subject to the outcomes of these fiscal events.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 July 2024 to Question 887 on Teachers: Recruitment, which subjects are included in the 6,500 target for new expert teachers.

The within-school and -college factor that makes the biggest difference to a child’s outcomes is high quality teaching. Although overall teacher numbers in state-funded schools in England have increased from 453,820 full-time equivalent (FTE) in November 2019 to 468,693 FTE in November 2023, teacher numbers have not kept pace with demand and there are currently shortages of qualified teachers across the country. That is why this government will work with the sector to deliver its pledge to recruit 6,500 additional teachers across schools and colleges over the course of this parliament to raise standards for children and young people and deliver the government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity at every stage.The department will share further details of the plans for delivery in due course. These measures will include getting more teachers into shortage subjects, supporting areas that face recruitment challenges, and tackling retention issues.The department has already made good early progress towards this key pledge by ensuring teaching is once again an attractive and respected profession. The department has accepted in full the School Teachers’ Review Body’s recommendation of a 5.5% pay award for teachers and leaders in maintained schools, which is effective from September. The requirement for performance related pay has also been removed.To aid retention, eligible early career teachers in priority science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and technical subjects will be able to claim targeted retention incentive payments worth up to £6,000 after tax from 14 October, with payments made available to college teachers in key STEM and technical subjects for the first time.Alongside this, the department is also supporting teachers to improve their workload and wellbeing, including opportunities for greater flexible working. Teachers are now allowed to undertake planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) time remotely and the department is also delivering a programme focused on embedding flexible working in schools and multi-academy trusts (MATs). This includes the delivery of supportive webinars and peer support provided by flexible working ambassador schools and MATs. ​Additionally, the department has made available a range of resources to help address teacher workload and wellbeing, including its ‘Improve workload and wellbeing for school staff’ service and the ‘education staff wellbeing charter’.The department has also expanded the school teacher recruitment campaign, entitled ‘Every Lesson Shapes a Life’, and the Further Education teacher recruitment campaign ‘Share your Skills’.The department is dedicated to working in partnership with the sector to re-establish teaching as an attractive profession and as one that existing teachers want to remain in, former teachers want to return to and new graduates and industry professionals wish to join.My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced a Budget on 30 October to be followed by a multi-year Spending Review in the spring of next year. Decisions about future funding will be subject to the outcomes of these fiscal events.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 July 2024 to Question 887 on Teachers: Recruitment, what her deadline is for achieving the 6,500 target for new expert teachers.

The within-school and -college factor that makes the biggest difference to a child’s outcomes is high quality teaching. Although overall teacher numbers in state-funded schools in England have increased from 453,820 full-time equivalent (FTE) in November 2019 to 468,693 FTE in November 2023, teacher numbers have not kept pace with demand and there are currently shortages of qualified teachers across the country. That is why this government will work with the sector to deliver its pledge to recruit 6,500 additional teachers across schools and colleges over the course of this parliament to raise standards for children and young people and deliver the government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity at every stage.The department will share further details of the plans for delivery in due course. These measures will include getting more teachers into shortage subjects, supporting areas that face recruitment challenges, and tackling retention issues.The department has already made good early progress towards this key pledge by ensuring teaching is once again an attractive and respected profession. The department has accepted in full the School Teachers’ Review Body’s recommendation of a 5.5% pay award for teachers and leaders in maintained schools, which is effective from September. The requirement for performance related pay has also been removed.To aid retention, eligible early career teachers in priority science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and technical subjects will be able to claim targeted retention incentive payments worth up to £6,000 after tax from 14 October, with payments made available to college teachers in key STEM and technical subjects for the first time.Alongside this, the department is also supporting teachers to improve their workload and wellbeing, including opportunities for greater flexible working. Teachers are now allowed to undertake planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) time remotely and the department is also delivering a programme focused on embedding flexible working in schools and multi-academy trusts (MATs). This includes the delivery of supportive webinars and peer support provided by flexible working ambassador schools and MATs. ​Additionally, the department has made available a range of resources to help address teacher workload and wellbeing, including its ‘Improve workload and wellbeing for school staff’ service and the ‘education staff wellbeing charter’.The department has also expanded the school teacher recruitment campaign, entitled ‘Every Lesson Shapes a Life’, and the Further Education teacher recruitment campaign ‘Share your Skills’.The department is dedicated to working in partnership with the sector to re-establish teaching as an attractive profession and as one that existing teachers want to remain in, former teachers want to return to and new graduates and industry professionals wish to join.My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced a Budget on 30 October to be followed by a multi-year Spending Review in the spring of next year. Decisions about future funding will be subject to the outcomes of these fiscal events.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 July 2024 to Question 887 on Teachers: Recruitment, whether the 6,500 target for new expert teachers relates only to new entrants to the profession.

The within-school and -college factor that makes the biggest difference to a child’s outcomes is high quality teaching. Although overall teacher numbers in state-funded schools in England have increased from 453,820 full-time equivalent (FTE) in November 2019 to 468,693 FTE in November 2023, teacher numbers have not kept pace with demand and there are currently shortages of qualified teachers across the country. That is why this government will work with the sector to deliver its pledge to recruit 6,500 additional teachers across schools and colleges over the course of this parliament to raise standards for children and young people and deliver the government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity at every stage.The department will share further details of the plans for delivery in due course. These measures will include getting more teachers into shortage subjects, supporting areas that face recruitment challenges, and tackling retention issues.The department has already made good early progress towards this key pledge by ensuring teaching is once again an attractive and respected profession. The department has accepted in full the School Teachers’ Review Body’s recommendation of a 5.5% pay award for teachers and leaders in maintained schools, which is effective from September. The requirement for performance related pay has also been removed.To aid retention, eligible early career teachers in priority science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and technical subjects will be able to claim targeted retention incentive payments worth up to £6,000 after tax from 14 October, with payments made available to college teachers in key STEM and technical subjects for the first time.Alongside this, the department is also supporting teachers to improve their workload and wellbeing, including opportunities for greater flexible working. Teachers are now allowed to undertake planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) time remotely and the department is also delivering a programme focused on embedding flexible working in schools and multi-academy trusts (MATs). This includes the delivery of supportive webinars and peer support provided by flexible working ambassador schools and MATs. ​Additionally, the department has made available a range of resources to help address teacher workload and wellbeing, including its ‘Improve workload and wellbeing for school staff’ service and the ‘education staff wellbeing charter’.The department has also expanded the school teacher recruitment campaign, entitled ‘Every Lesson Shapes a Life’, and the Further Education teacher recruitment campaign ‘Share your Skills’.The department is dedicated to working in partnership with the sector to re-establish teaching as an attractive profession and as one that existing teachers want to remain in, former teachers want to return to and new graduates and industry professionals wish to join.My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced a Budget on 30 October to be followed by a multi-year Spending Review in the spring of next year. Decisions about future funding will be subject to the outcomes of these fiscal events.

How many and what proportion of the new 6,500 teachers her Department expects to have recruited in each of the next five years.

The within-school and -college factor that makes the biggest difference to a child’s outcomes is high quality teaching. Although overall teacher numbers in state-funded schools in England have increased from 453,820 full-time equivalent (FTE) in November 2019 to 468,693 FTE in November 2023, teacher numbers have not kept pace with demand and there are currently shortages of qualified teachers across the country. That is why this government will work with the sector to deliver its pledge to recruit 6,500 additional teachers across schools and colleges over the course of this parliament to raise standards for children and young people and deliver the government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity at every stage.The department will share further details of the plans for delivery in due course. These measures will include getting more teachers into shortage subjects, supporting areas that face recruitment challenges, and tackling retention issues.The department has already made good early progress towards this key pledge by ensuring teaching is once again an attractive and respected profession. The department has accepted in full the School Teachers’ Review Body’s recommendation of a 5.5% pay award for teachers and leaders in maintained schools, which is effective from September. The requirement for performance related pay has also been removed.To aid retention, eligible early career teachers in priority science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and technical subjects will be able to claim targeted retention incentive payments worth up to £6,000 after tax from 14 October, with payments made available to college teachers in key STEM and technical subjects for the first time.Alongside this, the department is also supporting teachers to improve their workload and wellbeing, including opportunities for greater flexible working. Teachers are now allowed to undertake planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) time remotely and the department is also delivering a programme focused on embedding flexible working in schools and multi-academy trusts (MATs). This includes the delivery of supportive webinars and peer support provided by flexible working ambassador schools and MATs. ​Additionally, the department has made available a range of resources to help address teacher workload and wellbeing, including its ‘Improve workload and wellbeing for school staff’ service and the ‘education staff wellbeing charter’.The department has also expanded the school teacher recruitment campaign, entitled ‘Every Lesson Shapes a Life’, and the Further Education teacher recruitment campaign ‘Share your Skills’.The department is dedicated to working in partnership with the sector to re-establish teaching as an attractive profession and as one that existing teachers want to remain in, former teachers want to return to and new graduates and industry professionals wish to join.My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced a Budget on 30 October to be followed by a multi-year Spending Review in the spring of next year. Decisions about future funding will be subject to the outcomes of these fiscal events.

If she will publish the pupil number projections by phase of education for her plan to recruit 6,500 expert specialist teachers.

The within-school and -college factor that makes the biggest difference to a child’s outcomes is high quality teaching. Although overall teacher numbers in state-funded schools in England have increased from 453,820 full-time equivalent (FTE) in November 2019 to 468,693 FTE in November 2023, teacher numbers have not kept pace with demand and there are currently shortages of qualified teachers across the country. That is why this government will work with the sector to deliver its pledge to recruit 6,500 additional teachers across schools and colleges over the course of this parliament to raise standards for children and young people and deliver the government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity at every stage.The department will share further details of the plans for delivery in due course. These measures will include getting more teachers into shortage subjects, supporting areas that face recruitment challenges, and tackling retention issues.The department has already made good early progress towards this key pledge by ensuring teaching is once again an attractive and respected profession. The department has accepted in full the School Teachers’ Review Body’s recommendation of a 5.5% pay award for teachers and leaders in maintained schools, which is effective from September. The requirement for performance related pay has also been removed.To aid retention, eligible early career teachers in priority science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and technical subjects will be able to claim targeted retention incentive payments worth up to £6,000 after tax from 14 October, with payments made available to college teachers in key STEM and technical subjects for the first time.Alongside this, the department is also supporting teachers to improve their workload and wellbeing, including opportunities for greater flexible working. Teachers are now allowed to undertake planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) time remotely and the department is also delivering a programme focused on embedding flexible working in schools and multi-academy trusts (MATs). This includes the delivery of supportive webinars and peer support provided by flexible working ambassador schools and MATs. ​Additionally, the department has made available a range of resources to help address teacher workload and wellbeing, including its ‘Improve workload and wellbeing for school staff’ service and the ‘education staff wellbeing charter’.The department has also expanded the school teacher recruitment campaign, entitled ‘Every Lesson Shapes a Life’, and the Further Education teacher recruitment campaign ‘Share your Skills’.The department is dedicated to working in partnership with the sector to re-establish teaching as an attractive profession and as one that existing teachers want to remain in, former teachers want to return to and new graduates and industry professionals wish to join.My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced a Budget on 30 October to be followed by a multi-year Spending Review in the spring of next year. Decisions about future funding will be subject to the outcomes of these fiscal events.

If she will publish a breakdown by (a) region and (b) phase of education for the 6,500 expert specialist teachers.

The within-school and -college factor that makes the biggest difference to a child’s outcomes is high quality teaching. Although overall teacher numbers in state-funded schools in England have increased from 453,820 full-time equivalent (FTE) in November 2019 to 468,693 FTE in November 2023, teacher numbers have not kept pace with demand and there are currently shortages of qualified teachers across the country. That is why this government will work with the sector to deliver its pledge to recruit 6,500 additional teachers across schools and colleges over the course of this parliament to raise standards for children and young people and deliver the government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity at every stage.The department will share further details of the plans for delivery in due course. These measures will include getting more teachers into shortage subjects, supporting areas that face recruitment challenges, and tackling retention issues.The department has already made good early progress towards this key pledge by ensuring teaching is once again an attractive and respected profession. The department has accepted in full the School Teachers’ Review Body’s recommendation of a 5.5% pay award for teachers and leaders in maintained schools, which is effective from September. The requirement for performance related pay has also been removed.To aid retention, eligible early career teachers in priority science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and technical subjects will be able to claim targeted retention incentive payments worth up to £6,000 after tax from 14 October, with payments made available to college teachers in key STEM and technical subjects for the first time.Alongside this, the department is also supporting teachers to improve their workload and wellbeing, including opportunities for greater flexible working. Teachers are now allowed to undertake planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) time remotely and the department is also delivering a programme focused on embedding flexible working in schools and multi-academy trusts (MATs). This includes the delivery of supportive webinars and peer support provided by flexible working ambassador schools and MATs. ​Additionally, the department has made available a range of resources to help address teacher workload and wellbeing, including its ‘Improve workload and wellbeing for school staff’ service and the ‘education staff wellbeing charter’.The department has also expanded the school teacher recruitment campaign, entitled ‘Every Lesson Shapes a Life’, and the Further Education teacher recruitment campaign ‘Share your Skills’.The department is dedicated to working in partnership with the sector to re-establish teaching as an attractive profession and as one that existing teachers want to remain in, former teachers want to return to and new graduates and industry professionals wish to join.My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced a Budget on 30 October to be followed by a multi-year Spending Review in the spring of next year. Decisions about future funding will be subject to the outcomes of these fiscal events.

On what pupil number projections the (a) resource and (b) capital spending budgets for the Department for Education for (i) this and (ii) next year are based.

Ensuring schools have the resources and buildings they need is a key part of the department’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life.The department has allocated £1.8 billion in capital funding to improve the condition of school buildings for the 2024/25 financial year. This funding, which includes school condition allocations (SCA) and the budget for the condition improvement fund (CIF) programme, was based on a methodology that takes account of data on condition, location and pupil numbers weighted by phase of education. Pupil number data was taken from the spring 2023 census and the 2022/23 Individualised Learner Record (ILR). Details of the methodology are published on GOV.UK.The department provides capital funding through the basic need grant to support local authorities to provide school places, based on their own pupil forecasts and school capacity data from the annual school capacity survey. Over £700 million of allocations have been confirmed to support local authorities to create school places needed in September 2025 and September 2026.£850 million has also been allocated to local authorities for 2024/25 to support them to provide sufficient school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), or who require alternative provision (AP). This funding was allocated using data from the school census, the Special Educational Needs survey (SEN2) and the school capacity survey (SCAP23).School revenue funding for 2024/25 has already been allocated using pupil numbers recorded in the October census 2023. The department is also providing almost £1.1 billion through the new core schools budget grant (CSBG) to support schools with their overall costs. CSBG allocations for 2024/25 have also been calculated by reference to the October census 2023.Departmental expenditure limits for 2025/26 will be agreed at the Budget on 30 October. This will also confirm budgets for 2024/25. This includes the 2025/26 core schools’ budget and school capital budgets.

Whether she plans to amend the capital spending budget for the Department for Education based on actual full-time-equivalent pupil numbers in the (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26 financial year.

Ensuring schools have the resources and buildings they need is a key part of the department’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life.The department has allocated £1.8 billion in capital funding to improve the condition of school buildings for the 2024/25 financial year. This funding, which includes school condition allocations (SCA) and the budget for the condition improvement fund (CIF) programme, was based on a methodology that takes account of data on condition, location and pupil numbers weighted by phase of education. Pupil number data was taken from the spring 2023 census and the 2022/23 Individualised Learner Record (ILR). Details of the methodology are published on GOV.UK.The department provides capital funding through the basic need grant to support local authorities to provide school places, based on their own pupil forecasts and school capacity data from the annual school capacity survey. Over £700 million of allocations have been confirmed to support local authorities to create school places needed in September 2025 and September 2026.£850 million has also been allocated to local authorities for 2024/25 to support them to provide sufficient school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), or who require alternative provision (AP). This funding was allocated using data from the school census, the Special Educational Needs survey (SEN2) and the school capacity survey (SCAP23).School revenue funding for 2024/25 has already been allocated using pupil numbers recorded in the October census 2023. The department is also providing almost £1.1 billion through the new core schools budget grant (CSBG) to support schools with their overall costs. CSBG allocations for 2024/25 have also been calculated by reference to the October census 2023.Departmental expenditure limits for 2025/26 will be agreed at the Budget on 30 October. This will also confirm budgets for 2024/25. This includes the 2025/26 core schools’ budget and school capital budgets.

Whether she plans to amend the revenue spending budget for the Department for Education based on actual full-time-equivalent pupil numbers in the (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26 financial year.

Ensuring schools have the resources and buildings they need is a key part of the department’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life.The department has allocated £1.8 billion in capital funding to improve the condition of school buildings for the 2024/25 financial year. This funding, which includes school condition allocations (SCA) and the budget for the condition improvement fund (CIF) programme, was based on a methodology that takes account of data on condition, location and pupil numbers weighted by phase of education. Pupil number data was taken from the spring 2023 census and the 2022/23 Individualised Learner Record (ILR). Details of the methodology are published on GOV.UK.The department provides capital funding through the basic need grant to support local authorities to provide school places, based on their own pupil forecasts and school capacity data from the annual school capacity survey. Over £700 million of allocations have been confirmed to support local authorities to create school places needed in September 2025 and September 2026.£850 million has also been allocated to local authorities for 2024/25 to support them to provide sufficient school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), or who require alternative provision (AP). This funding was allocated using data from the school census, the Special Educational Needs survey (SEN2) and the school capacity survey (SCAP23).School revenue funding for 2024/25 has already been allocated using pupil numbers recorded in the October census 2023. The department is also providing almost £1.1 billion through the new core schools budget grant (CSBG) to support schools with their overall costs. CSBG allocations for 2024/25 have also been calculated by reference to the October census 2023.Departmental expenditure limits for 2025/26 will be agreed at the Budget on 30 October. This will also confirm budgets for 2024/25. This includes the 2025/26 core schools’ budget and school capital budgets.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 July 2024 to Question 887 on Teachers: Recruitment, which phases of education count towards the 6,500 target of new expert teachers.

The within-school and -college factor that makes the biggest difference to a child’s outcomes is high quality teaching. Although overall teacher numbers in state-funded schools in England have increased from 453,820 full-time equivalent (FTE) in November 2019 to 468,693 FTE in November 2023, teacher numbers have not kept pace with demand and there are currently shortages of qualified teachers across the country. That is why this government will work with the sector to deliver its pledge to recruit 6,500 additional teachers across schools and colleges over the course of this parliament to raise standards for children and young people and deliver the government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity at every stage.The department will share further details of the plans for delivery in due course. These measures will include getting more teachers into shortage subjects, supporting areas that face recruitment challenges, and tackling retention issues.The department has already made good early progress towards this key pledge by ensuring teaching is once again an attractive and respected profession. The department has accepted in full the School Teachers’ Review Body’s recommendation of a 5.5% pay award for teachers and leaders in maintained schools, which is effective from September. The requirement for performance related pay has also been removed.To aid retention, eligible early career teachers in priority science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and technical subjects will be able to claim targeted retention incentive payments worth up to £6,000 after tax from 14 October, with payments made available to college teachers in key STEM and technical subjects for the first time.Alongside this, the department is also supporting teachers to improve their workload and wellbeing, including opportunities for greater flexible working. Teachers are now allowed to undertake planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) time remotely and the department is also delivering a programme focused on embedding flexible working in schools and multi-academy trusts (MATs). This includes the delivery of supportive webinars and peer support provided by flexible working ambassador schools and MATs. ​Additionally, the department has made available a range of resources to help address teacher workload and wellbeing, including its ‘Improve workload and wellbeing for school staff’ service and the ‘education staff wellbeing charter’.The department has also expanded the school teacher recruitment campaign, entitled ‘Every Lesson Shapes a Life’, and the Further Education teacher recruitment campaign ‘Share your Skills’.The department is dedicated to working in partnership with the sector to re-establish teaching as an attractive profession and as one that existing teachers want to remain in, former teachers want to return to and new graduates and industry professionals wish to join.My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced a Budget on 30 October to be followed by a multi-year Spending Review in the spring of next year. Decisions about future funding will be subject to the outcomes of these fiscal events.

What estimate she has made of the proportion of independent schools that are (a) in the teachers' pension scheme and (b) not in phased withdrawal as of (i) the most recent date for which data are available and (ii) October 2021.

The scheme administrator maintains a record of the number of independent schools participating in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), as well as those that have elected for phased withdrawal. However, as participation is voluntary for this sector, the scheme administrator does not have a figure of the total number that could participate. Eligibility is only considered at the time that an independent school applies to join the TPS.Data from September 2024 shows that there are 601 independent schools that are fully participating in the TPS and a further 247 that have opted for phased withdrawal. A bespoke report would need to be obtained from the scheme administrator for the position in October 2021.The department does not have an estimate of the proportion of independent school teachers who are in the TPS. As not all independent schools participate in the TPS, the scheme administrator does not hold this information.The department maintains financial records via the Annual Report and Accounts, in addition to the scheme valuation, which is scheduled to take place every four years. However, the specific data on the revenue to the teachers’ pension scheme from independent schools’ employers’ contributions is not available as the TPS does not require it for the purposes of the administration of the scheme.The department does not hold projected revenue figures for the TPS specifically from independent school employer contributions for 2024/25 or 2025/26.