§ Mr. CatonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what assessment his Department as made of the implications of an education separate from their local community schools for asylum seeker children; [83424]
(2) what systems will be put in place to ensure that the standard of education in accommodation centres for asylum seekers will be equivalent to those in mainstream schools; [83432]
(3) what representations he has received from teaching professionals on the proposed education plans in accommodation centres for asylum seekers. [83433]
§ Mr. Stephen TwiggThe Government's policy to educate the children of some destitute asylum seekers within accommodation centres provides an opportunity to deliver a specialised and rich curriculum tailored to the needs of the children within a safe environment. It also provides a good induction into the British education system for those who will remain and a valuable experience for those who will not.
We are working closely with Home Office colleagues to ensure this and we have been talking to the Local Government Association and LEAs in the areas where accommodation centres are planned. The education provision in the accommodation centres will be inspected by Ofsted against similar criteria to those used in a mainstream school to ensure that the standard is equivalent.
Baroness Ashton of Upholland met with representatives of the NASUWT and NUT on 4 November and has since received a letter from the NASUWT taking up her offer to continue discussions to ensure effective implementation of the education provisions of the Nationality Immigration and Asylum Act.