Education Committee announces two sessions

i.Roundtable on white working-class pupils’ access to HE and FE on Thursday 7^th January at 10.00am  

ii.Accountability hearing with DfE Minister on consequences of the lockdown on education and schools on Tuesday 12^th January at 10.00am

These sessions will be held virtually and will be available to watch at parliamentlive.tv  

The Education Committee is holding a roundtable on access to further and higher education for working-class white pupils tomorrow. The Committee is also planning an accountability hearing with a DfE minister next week on Tuesday, 12 January at 10am, to consider the consequences of the lockdown on education and schools. Further details of next week’s session will be announced towards the end of the week.  

Tomorrow’s session will be part of the Committee’s current inquiry on Left behind white pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds and will look to draw upon the panel’s expertise to explore the role of higher and further education in supporting outcomes for white working-class pupils, as well as hearing any recommendations for raising attainment. It will also explore the effects of Covid-19, looking at how the pandemic has affected the higher and further education sectors and access for disadvantaged groups.

Witness schedule

Thursday 7^th January at 10am  

· Professor Liz Barnes, Vice Chancellor – Staffordshire University and Co-Chair – Stoke-on-Trent Opportunity Area 

· Chris Millward, Director for Fair Access and Participation – Office for Students 

· Rae Tooth, Chief Executive – Villiers Park 

· Graeme Atherton, Director – National Education Opportunities Network (NEON) 

· Karen Spencer MBE, Principal – Harlow College and Stansted Airport College