Who is convinced by these answers on increasing student number?
Education Committee
✔@CommonsEd
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
Education Committee
✔@CommonsEd
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.
Education Committee
✔@CommonsEd
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.
Regarding insurance and liability, DfE hasn’t spoken to insurers, particularly important for Independent sector.
When asked about developing trust Gibb used the stock answer denied real detail for many questions ‘led by the science’
Education Committee
✔@CommonsEd
@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.
I can see this quote on placards and banners at a future date
This is an answer for @MoreThanScore when asked why year 6 and not year 5. Nick Gibb confirms SATs are about the accountability of staff not about student's education. I can see this quote on placards and banners at a future date Click To Tweet
Education Committee
✔@CommonsEd
@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.
Education Committee
✔@CommonsEd
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’.
Education Committee
✔@CommonsEd
@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.
DfE not modelled impact on disadvantaged, when questioned about online guidence taking a month after lockdown he said priority was resources. Someone should have asked if any planning was done before lockdown? I’ve seen no evidence of planning b4 lockdown
Education Committee
✔@CommonsEd
@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.
Interesting contradiction here, when it comes to keeping track of disadvantaged and vulnerable it’s down the heads judgement, however, when it comes to the timing of increasing student numbers and which students the heads aren’t trusted.
Education Committee
✔@CommonsEd
@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.
Education Committee
✔@CommonsEd
@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.
KT Thompson #instinctive@thepetitioner
The Government’s own guidance for children aged 5 & under in schools (half the year groups being sent back) states they are not expected to socially distance, making this a v dangerous & contradictory comment from @NickGibbUK @karamballes @MaryBoustedNEU @NAHTnews @RLong_Bailey https://twitter.com/tes/status/1265614987239862273 …
@tes
Clinically vulnerable teachers are safe to work in schools, provided social distancing measures are in place, the schools minister, @NickGibbUK, has said https://www.tes.com/news/coronavirus-gibb-clinically-vulnerable-teachers-safe-schools …
As for the clinically vulnerable, Gibb comments about as long as social distancing is possible goes against the DfE’s own primary guidance
Issues around vulnerable staff already occurring with advice being put out to schools, see here.
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