To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what his Department’s policy is on allowing children born in August to delay starting school until after they have reached the age of five. (253701)

The latest a child can start primary school is at the beginning of the term immediately following their fifth birthday. There are no plans to change this.

The remit for the Independent Review of the Primary Curriculum, asks Sir Jim Rose to consider whether it be appropriate to allow more choice and flexibility in start dates for children entering school. The final report and recommendations will be published this spring.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what his policy is on the framework for the primary curriculum laid out in Sir Jim Rose’s interim report. (254182)

We welcome the provisional findings of the Independent Review of the Primary Curriculum set out in the interim report. We look forward to receiving Sir Jim Rose’s final report and recommendations for consideration in the spring.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families when he expects the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to complete its work on progression statements and programmes of learning for the framework for the primary curriculum proposed in Sir Jim Rose's interim report. (254183)

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority are working to a timetable that will allow Sir Jim Rose to provide his final advice and recommendations, including programmes of learning, in the spring.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what consideration he plans to give in his response to the Rose Review to the final report from the Cambridge Primary Review. (254184)

Sir Jim Rose is currently producing his final report of the Independent Review of the Primary Curriculum. As part of his review he is taking into account a wide range of evidence and research. Jim Rose has met with members of the Cambridge Primary Review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps his Department is taking to ensure that primary school children are not put under too much pressure academically. (254903)

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, has asked Sir Jim Rose to undertake a review of the primary curriculum. As part of his remit, Sir Jim will be reviewing the content of existing programmes of study and reducing prescription where possible. His interim report sets out proposals providing an entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum and a greater emphasis on children’s personal development.

We have set up an Expert Group on assessment who are examining the assessment system up to Key Stage 3. Part of their remit specifically states that they should state what advice schools should be given so that test preparation is proportionate, educationally appropriate, and that the delivery of a broad and balanced curriculum is not inhibited.