Thread by @SchoolsWeek

.@GavinWilliamson and his ministers will take questions from MPs at #eduQs from 2.30pm today. Stand by for live tweets...

@GavinWilliamson .@halfon4harlowMP asks about the attainment gap. He asks Williamson what he will do "to ensure boys are not left behind". The ed sec says there "is a concern", but govt has already introduced some initiatives like summer schools, tutoring programme, but "more to do" #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP On exams 2022, @NickGibbUK say ensuring fairness is "at the core" of what government is doing. Consultation closed August 1 and ministers plan to announce decisions "very shortly" #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @NickGibbUK Asked about contingency plans, Gibb says it's government's "intention" exams will go ahead, but "we're also working with Ofqual...on contingency plans in case it doesn't prove possible for exams to go ahead safely or fairly" #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @NickGibbUK Gibb says govt is committed to "looking at" post-qualification admissions to university #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @NickGibbUK On fears about grade inflation, Gibb says there will be "no change to the grading system for 2022", but "we are looking at the longer-term issue of grading in GCSEs and A-levels" #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @NickGibbUK On plans to scrap funding for some level 3 qualifications, @GillianKeegan says govt is "not scrapping BTEC funding", but "upgrading qualification offer" #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @NickGibbUK @GillianKeegan Asked about the future of music education, @NickGibbUK says government has announced plans for a "refreshed national plan" for music education, but doesn't say when it will be released #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @NickGibbUK @GillianKeegan On tackling gender disparity in educational attainment, @vickyford says government wants to raise standards for "all pupils", but especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @NickGibbUK @GillianKeegan @vickyford Gibb is asked about increasing rates of home schooling. He says many parents who educate at home "do so extremely well", but "in some cases" children are not provided with "suitable education", says govt remains ""committed to a registration system #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @NickGibbUK @GillianKeegan @vickyford Back to the attainment gap now. Gibb says up until the pandemic "we had closed the attainment gap between disadvantaged children and their peers by 13% in primary school and by 9% in secondary school".But accepts "challenges faced" during pandemic #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @NickGibbUK @GillianKeegan @vickyford Here's @KateGreenSU. She asks exactly what steps are being taken to ensure "all children" reach their potential. @GillianKeegan says first thing is "ensuring all children are back in school" #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @NickGibbUK @GillianKeegan @vickyford @KateGreenSU Keegan again says that the attainment gap was narrowing "up until" the pandemic, but acknowledges impact of Covid. Says government is "always focused on the most disadvantaged" #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @NickGibbUK @GillianKeegan @vickyford @KateGreenSU Keegan says education recovery fund will remain "under review", but points to "many students" signing up for tutoring, "but this is not a short-term solution, there will be longer-term answers" #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @NickGibbUK @GillianKeegan @vickyford @KateGreenSU Williamson is asked to support an increase in sixth form funding at the spending review. He says he'll meet with MPs about it, but makes no commitment on future funding #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @NickGibbUK @GillianKeegan @vickyford @KateGreenSU Williamson is asked whether school testing approach is still "proportionate". He says govt will review need for home testing at the end of September #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @NickGibbUK @GillianKeegan @vickyford @KateGreenSU Asked about a shortage of educational psychologists and support for high needs pupils, @vickyford points to increased funding and says government is "making good progress" with the much-delayed SEND review #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @NickGibbUK @GillianKeegan @vickyford @KateGreenSU Williamson is asked about defibrillators in schools, following his meeting with stakeholders. He says govt "will be looking at changing the regulation underpinned by secondary legislation" to ensure all schools have defibrillators "in the future" #eduQs

@GavinWilliamson @halfon4harlowMP @NickGibbUK @GillianKeegan @vickyford @KateGreenSU .@vickyford says holiday activities and food programme participation was "so high" and councils are already planning their Christmas provision #eduQs