That this House recognises that there are over 350,000 teaching assistants employed in England and appreciates the immense value they bring to classrooms and schools across the UK; notes that they perform an incredibly varied and complex mix of roles in schools, ranging from supporting teachers with administrative tasks to covering classes for teachers, providing targeted intervention programmes and delivering English classes for speakers of other languages; understands the difference they make to the most challenging pupils and those with severe learning difficulties and that mainstreaming in schools would have to stop without their efforts; further notes that, in a recent survey by UNISON, 95 per cent of school leaders believed that teaching assistants added value to schools, in particular in the team around the child, as effective mentors and advocates, and in enhancing the learning environment for all pupils; and joins in supporting UNISON members in their celebration day for teaching assistants on 29 November 2013 to recognise the difference they make to the education and support of children in UK schools.

That this House recognises that there are over 350,000 teaching assistants employed in England and appreciates the immense value they bring to classrooms and schools across the UK; notes that they perform an incredibly varied and complex mix of roles in schools, ranging from supporting teachers with administrative tasks to...

That this House congratulates Edenderry Primary School, Portadown as they celebrate 125 years of learning excellence; acknowledges the dedication and commitment of pupils, teachers, staff and Board of Governors for the past 125 years; commends the current Principal Mr Stephen Doyle and all his team for their hard work as they deliver year on year quality education to thousands of young people from the Portadown area; and trusts that the school will continue its success for generations to come.

That this House congratulates Edenderry Primary School, Portadown as they celebrate 125 years of learning excellence; acknowledges the dedication and commitment of pupils, teachers, staff and Board of Governors for the past 125 years; commends the current Principal Mr Stephen Doyle and all his team for their hard work as...

That this House notes the vital role a quarter of a million school support staff play in classrooms across the country; supports the important job that teaching assistants do in helping pupils realise their potential, especially for those pupils with specific educational needs, and in ensuring that no child is left behind; acknowledges the valuable assistance school support staff provide to teachers; and calls on the Government to provide the appropriate level of resources to fully support teaching assistants in schools throughout the country.

That this House notes the vital role a quarter of a million school support staff play in classrooms across the country; supports the important job that teaching assistants do in helping pupils realise their potential, especially for those pupils with specific educational needs, and in ensuring that no child is...

That this House is concerned by new research by the Amateur Swimming Association contained within their report entitled, Learning the Lesson - The Future of School Swimming, which reveals that 51 per cent of children aged between seven and 11 years old are unable to swim the length of a typical swimming pool and that 1.1 million primary schoolchildren lack the skills to be safe in and around water; recognises the importance of swimming as a lifesaving skill and as a foundation for a healthy and active lifestyle; believes that swimming and water safety skills are not instinctive and that schools are an essential place for these skills to be taught; further believes that the £150 million of ring-fenced spending for primary school sport represents an opportunity to improve attainment levels in swimming; and calls on the Department for Education to reiterate the expectation that all children be able to swim at least 25 metres unaided by the time they leave primary school, and to support schools appropriately in supporting this aim.

That this House is concerned by new research by the Amateur Swimming Association contained within their report entitled, Learning the Lesson - The Future of School Swimming, which reveals that 51 per cent of children aged between seven and 11 years old are unable to swim the length of a...

That this House welcomes the initiative by the Steve Sinnott Foundation to promote in UK schools an Education for All Day on 21 June 2013 drawing attention, through teaching and learning activities, to the United Nations Millennium Development Goal 2 of universal primary education for all by 2015; notes that with only two years to go before 2015, some 60 million children around the world are still out of school; further notes that the Foundation intends that the Education for All Day should become a feature of the school calendar in a growing number of schools in 2014, 2015 and beyond; and encourages school leaders to adopt the initiative with enthusiasm so as to provide pupils and students with greater understanding and awareness of the cause of education for all.

That this House welcomes the initiative by the Steve Sinnott Foundation to promote in UK schools an Education for All Day on 21 June 2013 drawing attention, through teaching and learning activities, to the United Nations Millennium Development Goal 2 of universal primary education for all by 2015; notes that...

That this House recognises the importance of rural primary schools; notes that primary schools are a vital part of the community in rural areas and that many families rely on them; further recognises that the provision of education cannot be considered in isolation and needs to take the wider rural economy including housing and jobs into account; welcomes the moratorium introduced by the Scottish Government on school closures until a full review had been completed; and urges the Government to protect vital rural services and pay attention to the specific needs of rural communities.

That this House recognises the importance of rural primary schools; notes that primary schools are a vital part of the community in rural areas and that many families rely on them; further recognises that the provision of education cannot be considered in isolation and needs to take the wider rural...

That this House recognises that walking to school can improve the physical and mental health of children, provides the opportunity for parents and carers to spend quality time with their children and reduces carbon emissions and congestion; notes the success of the Living Streets Walk to School campaign in encouraging increased numbers of children, parents and carers to walk to school; and calls on the Government to support the Walk to School campaign and the Walk to School Week 2013.

That this House recognises that walking to school can improve the physical and mental health of children, provides the opportunity for parents and carers to spend quality time with their children and reduces carbon emissions and congestion; notes the success of the Living Streets Walk to School campaign in encouraging...

That this House is shocked by the statistic that around 700,000 school-age children living in poverty are not receiving free school meals; congratulates the Children's Society for revealing this shameful state of affairs; notes that many working parents below the poverty line are discriminated against by being denied this crucial health benefit for their children because they are employed; further notes that a single parent working for 16 hours a week and a couple working 24 hours, both on working tax credit, cannot qualify, however poor they may be; and calls on the Government to ensure that all school-age children living in poverty receive free school meals whether or not their parents have jobs.

That this House is shocked by the statistic that around 700,000 school-age children living in poverty are not receiving free school meals; congratulates the Children's Society for revealing this shameful state of affairs; notes that many working parents below the poverty line are discriminated against by being denied this crucial...