VerbatimParliament, as it happens

International Baccalaureate

Asked by Saqib BhattiConservativeDepartment for EducationTabled Answered 7 November 2025UIN 81371

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her Department's policy is on the continued provision of the International Baccalaureate Diploma in state schools.

Answered by Georgia Gould

The department has made very significant investments into 16-19 education funding. The base rate of funding per student has increased to £5,105 in the 2025/26 academic year, up over 5% on last year. We must make this funding work hard, tilting it towards key priorities.

That is why we have announced that the additional funding previously available for a range of larger 16 to 19 programmes will be focused in future on supporting larger than normal mathematics and high value A level programmes to support the pipeline of students for priority sectors. It remains a choice for institutions as to whether they offer this provision. International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma achievement is included in the 16 to 19 performance tables. There are also newly approved IB Alternative Academic Qualifications that can form part of a diploma, available for delivery from August 2025.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim