That this House condemns the anti-trade union activities of UK-listed National Express PLC in its operations in the US, largely ignoring the safety concerns raised by employees and parents alike when transporting children to and from school; notes that these practices contrast with those of competing companies such as First Student; further notes that investors representing two per cent of National Express Group stock have filed a resolution calling on the company's board to initiate an independent investigation into management denial and violation of Durham Schools Services workers' freedom of association rights; and calls on all National Express shareholders to seek clarification on this issue from the board of directors and to vote for the resolution on this issue at the forthcoming AGM on 6 May 2015.

That this House condemns the anti-trade union activities of UK-listed National Express PLC in its operations in the US, largely ignoring the safety concerns raised by employees and parents alike when transporting children to and from school; notes that these practices contrast with those of competing companies such as First...

That this House notes that approximately one in 10 children between the ages of five to 16 years old suffer from a diagnosable mental health disorder and that 75 per cent of mental disorders emerge before the age of 25 years, about 25 per cent before the age of 12 years; further notes that 40 per cent of teachers leave the profession within five years and that stress is the predominant reason cited for leaving the profession; further notes that where staff turnover is high, lack of stability is likely to have an impact on pupils' learning and the cost is significant; further notes that costs of mental ill health are set to double over the next 20 years and billions of pounds could be saved through emphasis on prevention and early intervention; recognises the solid evidence-base for the reliable impact of mindfulness for adults on many aspects of psychological and physical health and a growing body of work with school staff and young people, showing that mindfulness interventions can have significant impacts in terms of reduced stress, depression and anxiety, increased sense of control, better behaviour, increased social and emotional skills, cognitive skills and performance in terms of focus and attention; believes that all young people and those who work in education, should have access to mindfulness training; and further believes that a Government-funded mindfulness programme will constitute value for money as access will lead to children and school staff being less likely to access costly interventions later.

That this House notes that approximately one in 10 children between the ages of five to 16 years old suffer from a diagnosable mental health disorder and that 75 per cent of mental disorders emerge before the age of 25 years, about 25 per cent before the age of 12...

That this House notes that across the country, parents will be preparing for the long summer school holiday by arranging and paying for additional childcare required as a result of having a long holiday block between July and September; further notes that the timing of this and some other school holidays is based on centuries-old traditions rather than the needs of children and their parents in modern Britain; further notes that children in receipt of free school meals and from other low-income households have been proven to fall behind their peers during the long summer school holiday, exacerbating the disadvantage they already experience; and therefore calls for the calendar of school holidays to be examined with a view to being amended to better serve children, young people and families.

That this House notes that across the country, parents will be preparing for the long summer school holiday by arranging and paying for additional childcare required as a result of having a long holiday block between July and September; further notes that the timing of this and some other school...

That this House recognises that walking to school can improve the physical and mental health of children, young people, parents and carers, provides the opportunity for parents and carers to spend quality time with their children and reduces carbon emissions and congestion; notes Living Streets' report Putting Pupils First and its recommendations to make the walk to school safer and easier and the success of the Living Streets Walk to School campaign in encouraging increased numbers of children, young people, parents and carers to walk to school; and calls on the Government to develop a fully resourced cross-Government national action plan for sustainable school travel as part of a national strategy to support walking with clear ministerial leadership including the promotion of practical measures including walking zones, Park and Stride and School Route Audits and tackling policy and legislative barriers to walking including inconsiderate parking, the provision of safe crossing points and slower vehicle speeds.

That this House recognises that walking to school can improve the physical and mental health of children, young people, parents and carers, provides the opportunity for parents and carers to spend quality time with their children and reduces carbon emissions and congestion; notes Living Streets' report Putting Pupils First and...

That this House expresses its concern about dangerous parking outside schools; recognises the safety implications for children of parents parking outside schools on double yellow lines; acknowledges that parents and local residents are concerned that poor parking increases congestion and makes it harder for drivers to see children crossing the road, thereby potentially putting school children in danger; supports a campaign to tackle the lack of awareness of the dangers to school children when cars are parked illegally and acknowledges the need for drivers to slow down to protect children; suggests that motorists should be more cautious and think before they park so as to minimise the risk to children walking in, out and around the school premises; encourages schools to work with county councils to promote road safety in and around schools; and calls on the Government to get the road safety message out to schools and parents.

That this House expresses its concern about dangerous parking outside schools; recognises the safety implications for children of parents parking outside schools on double yellow lines; acknowledges that parents and local residents are concerned that poor parking increases congestion and makes it harder for drivers to see children crossing the...

That this House welcomes National School Sport Week 2014, which takes place from 23 to 27 June 2014; notes that since 2009, 9.6 million young people and 22,000 schools have taken part in National School Sport Week; celebrates the excellent opportunity that National School Sport Week provides to encourage young people to be more active and take part in PE and school sport; recognises that the provision of high quality school sport and PE has significant positive impacts on young people's lives including improving physical and mental health outcomes, enhancing academic achievement and building key personal and social skills; further recognises the work of the Youth Sport Trust in using the power of sport to change young people's lives; and calls on the Government to support National School Sport Week and the sustained provision of high quality sport and PE for all young people.

That this House welcomes National School Sport Week 2014, which takes place from 23 to 27 June 2014; notes that since 2009, 9.6 million young people and 22,000 schools have taken part in National School Sport Week; celebrates the excellent opportunity that National School Sport Week provides to encourage young...

That this House believes that schools and workplaces in the UK should be equipped with defibrillators; notes that there are 60,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests in the UK every year and that every minute without cardiac pulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by 10 per cent; and calls on the Government to help save lives and provide defibrillators free of charge to every school in the UK and to bring forward legislative proposals to make it a requirement in the workplace.

That this House believes that schools and workplaces in the UK should be equipped with defibrillators; notes that there are 60,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests in the UK every year and that every minute without cardiac pulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by 10 per cent;...

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...