On Wednesday 27 May we’ll be questioning @NickGibbUK and Andrew McCully from @educationgovuk on the DfE’s response to #COVID19 and plans to reopen schools.

Read more about the session here: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/203/education-committee/news/146595/schools-minister-questioned-on-school-closures-and-plans-for-reopening/

And follow this thread for live updates

The session with Minister @NickGibbUK has now started.

We'll be asking questions on topics including the scientific evidence for school reopening, the voucher system, and support for vulnerable children.

Watch Live on @BBCParliament: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/live/bbcparliament

Chair @halfon4harlowMP asks Nick Gibb which of the reopening scenarios modelled by SAGE was chosen by the DfE.

@NickGibbUK says that the DfE is 'totally led by the science'. SAGE will announce tomorrow whether the 5 tests have been met and if it is safe for schools to return.

Chair @halfon4harlowMP asks whether there will be a full track and trace mechanism for schools.

Minister @NickGibbUK says that testing will be available to all staff and pupils with symptoms, including children under the age of 5.

@DSimmonds_RNP asks about insurance.

'Insurance is critical issue for schools. What discussions have there been with the insurance industry to ensure they are happy with risk management?'

Andrew McCully says there has been no direct discussion with insurers.

@JEGullis asks how parents, teachers and academy trusts can rebuild confidence in the Government's messaging about safe reopening.

'What is the DfE going to do to assure these groups that schools are being reopened in the correct way, in a phased manner?'

@drcarolinej highlights that there are other transition years besides year 6, for example prep schools and middle schools.

'Why is there not discretion for those transition years to go back'

Chair @halfon4harlowMP asks if is likely that all children in primary school will return before summer. 'We need some steer for teaching and support staff'.

Nick Gibb says it is 'difficult to say'. 'We won't know until tomorrow whether a wider reopening will happen from 1 June.'

@tomhunt1988 highlights that no two schools are the same, some have large outdoor spaces, some don't.

'To what extent will there be flexibility in Gov't guidance as it is headteachers who know their schools and pupils best'.

@JEGullis asks about Year 5 and SATs.

He is 'baffled' that the DfE is not bringing in year 5 over year 6 as they are the ones who will be facing SATs exams, and will be under pressure to catch up.

Nick Gibb says SATs provide accountability for the school, not for pupils.

@IanMearnsMP asks about PPE.

'Can you set out the scientific basis for the guidance that staff in educational settings will not need PPE? Young children often need basic personal care, and schools don't routinely have much PPE on site.'

@IanMearnsMP talks about a school that just have a 'carrier bag size' bag of PPE.

Nick Gibb says that schools do have, and are entitled to acquire a small stock of PPE. 'About 60% of schools have sufficient PPE'.

But @IanMearnsMP says that @educationgovuk advice for schools on PPE 'echoes what was told to care homes two months ago, advice which has had to change'.

Nick Gibb says 'I can only give you the advice that we have. PPE is a scarce resource'.

@JEGullis follows up on SATs.

'They do have a huge impact on children, because they are used by the Fischer Family Trust to determine target grades. They impact the educational path children may go on.'

Nick Gibb says that no-one asks people how they did in SATs in later life.

Chair @halfon4harlowMP asks about disadvantaged pupils and unequal access to remote learning.

'Does the DfE accept that disadvantaged learners will fall behind their peers?'

'Has the DfE projected the effect the lockdown will have on the attainment gap?'

Nick Gibb says the attainment gap is a 'huge concern' for the DfE.

@halfon4harlowMP asks again if the DfE has done the modelling to understand the effect the lockdown will have on the attainment gap.

Nick Gibb says 'there are plenty of people who have done those calculations.'

'Surely the DfE will do their own modelling on the attainment gap and how to close it' says @halfon4harlowMP

But @NickGibb says that rather than 'poring over statistics', his focus is 'to work out how to improve the quality of education for young people at home'.

'Will you consider the idea of a catch-up premium to provide more support to left-behind groups? Distinct from the pupil premium?' asks @halfon4harlowMP

@NickGibb says that the DfE is 'working on closing the attainment gap over the summer.'

@halfon4harlowMP now asks about the timeliness of DfE guidance.

'Why did @educationgovuk take a month to issue clear guidance on remote education to schools?'

Nick Gibb says the most urgent task was to get free materials online.

@halfon4harlowMP asks about children not in school.

'There are a lot of children not getting education. Are you monitoring those children and schools, to check learning is going on at home?'

Nick Gibb says they trust schools, and schools are accountable for their results.

@tomhunt1988 asks about online attendance.

'Most schools are doing a good job, but in some schools attendance is very low. Schools should be held to account for learning provided.'

Nick Gibb says the DfE don't want the inspection system to impose added burdens at this point.

@KimJohnsonMP asks about funding.

'With more children now defined as vulnerable as a result of the crisis - what additional funding will be made available to help those children?'

Nick Gibb says the voucher system had a 'bumpy start' but more money per meal is now available.

@KimJohnsonMP follows up on unequal access to online learning: 'Those children most in need of support are least likely to access it.'

Nick Gibb says @educationgovuk are publishing case studies of schools demonstrating best practice in this area.

@drcarolinej continues the theme of vulnerable children.

'We're all worried about vulnerable children not accessing the provision available. Is the DfE speaking to schools getting good results, so others can learn from this?'

Nick Gibb says the DfE are publishing best practice.

@Christian4BuryS asks about online provision and teaching resources for those years who aren't going back to school.

Nick Gibb says that the Oak Academy is very significant and they will increasingly provide sequenced curriculum plans

@tomhunt1988 raises the issue of exams for private candidates, and difficulties finding assessment centres.

Nick Gibb says the DfE have 'worked tirelessly' with Ofqual to find a solution, but these young people may need to sit exams in the Autumn series.

@JEGullis highlights the potential issue of boys being underscored compared to girls. 'What is the DfE doing to adjust for that?'

Nick Gibb says this issue has been discussed with Ofqual. The process is meant to be the fairest way to get calculated results.

@KimJohnsonMP asks about suspension of TfL free travel for under-18s.

'Was the DfE consulted and what does the Minister think will happen with getting pupils to school in London?'

Nick Gibb says he will have to write to @CommonsEd on this issue.

@david4wantage asks how the DfE will support schools in helping pupils catch up academically, while dealing with traumatic effects of lockdown for some children.

Nick Gibb says that the pastoral element will be schools' first and foremost objective above academic education.

@Christian4BuryS asks about the realities of social distancing in the classroom.

'Social distancing in a classroom will be very different to what children are used to. What thought has the DfE given to mitigating the impact of this?'

@JEGullis highlights concern for children who aren't currently classified as vulnerable, but have fallen into that category. 'What is the DfE doing to help schools and children's services with that?'

Nick Gibb says DfE guidance will be about ensuring pastoral care is a priority.

@ApsanaBegumMP asks about fairness in exams.

'Disadvantaged students may lose out in a system with calculated grades. How confident are you that the system for calculating grades will not adversely affect disadvantaged groups, including BAME groups?'

Nick Gibb acknowledges there is research showing the possibility of bias in predicted grades.

He says the DfE 'have tried to find ways to combat that in the new system'. Ultimately it is Headteachers who will sign off that the calculated grades and rank order are fair and right

Continuing his response to @ApsanaBegumMP's question on exam fairness, Nick Gibb says

'The onus is on teachers to be as fair and accurate as they possibly can be when assessing grades. I believe teachers will be as fair as is possible within human frailty'.

@ApsanaBegum follows up on exams, asking how the grading system will 'address issues of unconscious bias in the education system? How will this be mitigated in teacher assessment?'

Nick Gibb says it is 'so difficult to do, Ofqual must ensure that no system disadvantages anyone.'

@ApsanaBegumMP asks how the DfE will ensure disadvantaged students will not face barriers to resitting in the Autumn.

Nick Gibb says this is 'challenging', the DfE is 'not sure when these exams will be able to happen' as they need to ensure students have had engagement before.

@IanMearnsMP asks about Edenred FSM vouchers.

'96% of school leaders responding to a survey on the Edenred scheme have had problems with the scheme.
What was it about Edenred's proposal that persuaded the DfE to choose them?
Why was the scheme not continued into Whitsun break?'

Nick Gibb responds that 'everything had to be done at pace - it's pace that matters, who can deliver quickly.'

He says that the Whitsun half-term voucher costs of the scheme will continue to be met.

Ian Mearns asks whether the Minister accepts it's taken a lot of time and effort from schools to get the system to work.

Nick Gibb says 'this is what happens when you try to roll out a commercial operation from scratch. It's unfortunate, but people are working hard to sort out'

@DSimmonds_RNP asks about funding and distribution of the digital access scheme.

'Should this scheme ensure every eligible child gets a device? How will you evaluate its impact?'

Gibb says the figure was calculated by working out eligibility and setting the budget from that.

@halfon4harlowMP asks what plans the DfE has for disadvantaged children not covered by the digital access scheme and without internet.

Nick Gibb says the DfE have prioritised children in care, children known to social workers, and Y10. 'Schools have laptops they can lend out'.

@halfon4harlowMP highlights 95% of households own a TV. 'Has the DfE had talks with broadcasters about getting learning on there'

Nick Gibb says the BBC are providing lessons that can be viewed on TV. Andrew McCully says BBC provision is 'quite extensive.'

@JEGullis asks about academic catch-up.

'One way to catch-up is summer school education and an army of volunteers. Could schools open over summer to assist children in key years?

Gibb says he is discussing a package of catch-up measures but 'can't give details at this point'.

@halfon4harlowMP asks about social distancing and pupils with SEND.

'Is there a risk that SEND children who cannot follow social distancing measures will be excluded? Should school policies ensure no child is excluded result of the coronavirus outbreak?'

Chair @halfon4harlowMP criticises DfE guidance.

'The DfE has not been clear with its guidance, with multiple iterations and contradictions. Moving goalposts are causing headteachers to frequently change plans. Should these things not be checked properly. with plenty of notice?'

Nick Gibb says that most updates relate to changing science and the situation moves quickly.

He is 'aware there was unhappiness about the publication of early years guidance over the bank holiday weekend'.

Andrew McCully says there is a 'strict protocol' for checking guidance.

@halfon4harlowMP asks about schools who refuse to reopen.

'If a local authority decides not to open its schools next week, what is your position?'

Nick Gibb says 'our policy is to talk to them.'

@KimJohnsonMP asks about SAGE scientific advice.

'The model for returning on 1 June wasn't including in the SAGE modelling - who decided on the DfE's approach?'

Nick Gibb says the science looks at the rate of infection, that is what led the decision.

@KimJohnsonMP asks why the DfE's reopening plan was not one of the 9 scenarios that were proposed for returning to school.

Andrew McCully says 'there are policy decisions that come on top of science and transmission evidence'.

And our accountability session with Minister Nick Gibb is now finished.

You can watch the session here: https://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/507564f2-c0f0-4984-9ae0-b494f206fd7d

We will be posting a transcript shortly.