Thread by @SchoolsWeek

Education secretary @GavinWilliamson and his ministers will shortly take questions in the House of Commons. Stand by for live tweets #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson .@halfon4harlowMP says Williamson is right to delay exams, but asks what assessment has been made of catch-up needed by pupils who have lost learning, and what plan is to ensure they carry on learning if they're sent home again #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP Williamson says direction on continuity of education is important to "ensure that every child whether in the classroom or at home are getting the education they require" #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP Ministers are asked about manifesto pledge of £1bn for wraparound childcare. Minister @vickyford says fund is due to come in next year, but is "dependent on the outcome of the spending review" #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @vickyford Williamson is asked about laptops. Says 220,000 laptops and tablets have already been distributed, and govt is making available 250,000 devices "in the event of face to face schooling is disrupted" #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @vickyford .@NickGibbUK says he shares determination to see academic attainment gap close, and this has been "at the core of all of our education reforms since 2010" #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @vickyford @NickGibbUK .@vickyford is asked about SEND children. She says more than 80% of those with EHCPs are now attending #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @vickyford @NickGibbUK .@vickyfoxcroft says she has asked repeatedly what assistive technology is being provided to help SEND pupils learn at home.

@vickyford says a "range of support and guidance" has been provided to schools

#eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @vickyford @NickGibbUK @vickyfoxcroft .@NickGibbUK is asked about exams. He says there will be a "short delay" in the exam timetable to free up teaching time and ensure exams are a "fair assessment for all" #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @vickyford @NickGibbUK @vickyfoxcroft Asked how he will ensure exam students next years won't be disadvantaged in terms of university places, Gibb says he's working with Ofqual and the exam boards on the government's approach #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @vickyford @NickGibbUK @vickyfoxcroft Asked about testing, Williamson says all schools have been issued testing kits and can order more online #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @vickyford @NickGibbUK @vickyfoxcroft Gibb is asked about funding to cover Covid-related costs. Says govt has already paid out £58m to schools and more money is coming #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @vickyford @NickGibbUK @vickyfoxcroft "Schools have continued to receive their core funding and should be using this to support their Covid expenditure" - @NickGibbUK #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @vickyford @NickGibbUK @vickyfoxcroft .@elliereeves highlights already-stretched school budgets and says many have lost income as a result of Covid. Gibb refers to existing school funding rises #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @vickyford @NickGibbUK @vickyfoxcroft @elliereeves Here's @MGreenwoodWW. She asks when govt will recognise the "significant" extra costs of supply teachers when their staff have to self-isolate. @NickGibbUK says additional funding is being targeted on catch-up #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @vickyford @NickGibbUK @vickyfoxcroft @elliereeves @MGreenwoodWW .@vickyford says there's a "major review" of SEND system and "considering improvements to make sure the SEND system is consistent, high-quality and integrated across health and care"

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@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @vickyford @NickGibbUK @vickyfoxcroft @elliereeves @MGreenwoodWW .@NickGibbUK is asked about duty to teach religious education. He says those with complaints should raise them with schools first, and then with the DfE if they're not resolved #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @vickyford @NickGibbUK @vickyfoxcroft @elliereeves @MGreenwoodWW .@JanetDaby says 40% of schools give no hours to RE in year 11. @NickGibbUK says at a national level the proportion of time spent teaching the subject has remained "broadly stable" #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @vickyford @NickGibbUK @vickyfoxcroft @elliereeves @MGreenwoodWW @JanetDaby .@NickGibbUK is asked about exams again. Says they're best option, but govt will be looking at "range of options" to deal with disruption #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @vickyford @NickGibbUK @vickyfoxcroft @elliereeves @MGreenwoodWW @JanetDaby GIbb is asked how govt will ensure fairness to those who have missed out on education. He says content and timing changes should free up teaching time "but we will have more to say later in the autumn" #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @vickyford @NickGibbUK @vickyfoxcroft @elliereeves @MGreenwoodWW @JanetDaby Asked about the impact of Covid on the disadvantage gap, Williamson says it's his "passion" to close that gap. He points to the weighting on SEND pupils in Covid catch-up funding #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @vickyford @NickGibbUK @vickyfoxcroft @elliereeves @MGreenwoodWW @JanetDaby Asked why ministers won't extend holiday hunger food vouchers programme to half term and Christmas holidays, Williamson says govt is "looking at what more we can do in these areas" #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @vickyford @NickGibbUK @vickyfoxcroft @elliereeves @MGreenwoodWW @JanetDaby An MP asks a question, but Williamson has disappeared.

"I don't know where he is," says one minister

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@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @vickyford @NickGibbUK @vickyfoxcroft @elliereeves @MGreenwoodWW @JanetDaby Here's @KateGreenSU

"Perhaps I can start by asking the schools minister a question, as he's here"

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@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @vickyford @NickGibbUK @vickyfoxcroft @elliereeves @MGreenwoodWW @JanetDaby @KateGreenSU Green points to attendance stats with 1 in 10 pupils not in & higher absence rates at special schools.

She says functional test and trace system is "crucial", and asks how many pupils and staff are currently waiting for tests, and why pupils were missed off priority list #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @vickyford @NickGibbUK @vickyfoxcroft @elliereeves @MGreenwoodWW @JanetDaby @KateGreenSU Gibb says test and trace scheme has been "very successful", but is then told off for speaking for too long #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @vickyford @NickGibbUK @vickyfoxcroft @elliereeves @MGreenwoodWW @JanetDaby @KateGreenSU Williamson is back. Green prompts a laugh when she welcomes him back "to his place"

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@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @vickyford @NickGibbUK @vickyfoxcroft @elliereeves @MGreenwoodWW @JanetDaby @KateGreenSU Williamson is ticked off by the Speaker for leaving the chamber in the middle of questions. Told to apologise for being "discourteous" #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @vickyford @NickGibbUK @vickyfoxcroft @elliereeves @MGreenwoodWW @JanetDaby @KateGreenSU Williamson: "Mr Speaker of course I apologise. I got a bit waylaid by a colleague asking a question out of the chamber and didn't realise the speed at which Mr Speaker was working through the order paper" #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @vickyford @NickGibbUK @vickyfoxcroft @elliereeves @MGreenwoodWW @JanetDaby @KateGreenSU Williamson is asked about how it will guarantee broadband access. He says it's an "important point", and govt has looked at support needed for the "most disadvantaged". Says he's been working with internet providers on it #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @vickyford @NickGibbUK @vickyfoxcroft @elliereeves @MGreenwoodWW @JanetDaby @KateGreenSU And that's it from @GavinWilliamson and co. Thanks for following #eduQs