Gibb says there is a plan. There are "clear criteria" for emerging from the lockdown, including hospitalisation rates.

"We've always been clear that schools will be last to close and first to open as we emerge from the national lockdown"

#schoolsreopening

Gibb says restricted attendance is "not because schools are unsafe", but to ensure reduced contact in communities

Says returning secondary pupils will be tested twice as they return to school

#schoolsreopening

Here's @halfon4harlowMP. He says he thanks all teachers and support staff for all their work. Raises concerns of pediatricians about pupil mental health during closures. "We just need to get our schools open again sooner rather than later" #schoolsreopening

Halfon asks whether a regional approach to reopenings will be used and whether staff will be prioritised for the vaccine #schoolsreopening

Gibb says Halfon is right to pay tribute to "teaching staff in our schools" (note Halfon said support staff too).

He says all decisions being taken are for the wellbeing of students

#schoolsreopening

On regional differences in infection rates, Gibb says government will always be led by the science.

He says JCVI has asked the DHSC to consider occupational vaccinations in collab with other departments including DfE

#schoolsreopening

Gibb says the system of controls in schools create an "inherently safer environment for children and staff"

"This is about reducing transmission in the community"

#schoolsreopening

. @Siobhan_Baillie says parents are contacting her on Instagram "at their wits' end" about balancing childcare and work #schoolsreopening

Gibb is asked about progress on laptops. He says the government has purchased 1.3 million laptops for disadvantaged children on top of 2.9m that "already exist in our schools". So far 876,000 have been delivered, he says #schoolsreopening

Gibb says it "would have been nice" if @rushanaraali had paid tribute to Computacenter and DfE staff for the "amazing achievement" on laptops #schoolsreopening

Gibb again says there's a "very clear plan" for reopening schools and "clear criteria" for how and when we'll emerge from lockdown

#schoolsreopening

On rotas, Gibb says they're "difficult" for secondary schools to implement and don't prioritise exam years and are a "less effective means of reducing transmission risk" than the approach set out in the DfE's contingency framework #schoolsreopening

Here's @IanMearnsMP. He says school leaders and governors should be told what reopening proposals consist of so they can "plan and prepare". He also asks for delivery of laptops "free of malware"

#schoolsreopening

Gibb says government does want to give schools "appropriate notice", hence pledge for two weeks' notice. On malware issue, he says this "occurred in a very small number of devices. The virus has been removed" #schoolsreopening

Another question on whether schools will reopen based on the tier that they're in. Gibb says "all options" are being discussed #schoolsreopening

Again, Gibb is asked whether option of phased reopening on regional basis is on the table. He says govt does consult with stakeholders on options "and we keep all those issues under review" #schoolsreopening

Gibb is asked about financial support for schools, including for catch-up. He says there's "no question" the pandemic has widened the attainment gap. He refers to existing £1bn catch-up funding

#schoolsreopening

Another question about vaccines for school staff. Gibb again says the priority initially is on mortality, but once through that phase, DfE will be "making the case" for school staff #schoolsreopening

. @Meg_HillierMP asks about what consideration is being given to "proper catch up summer lessons and so on", particularly for pupils going into exam years "because these young people won't get that time back" #schoolsreopening

Gibb refers again to the existing catch-up, but DfE is also giving a "great deal of thought" to what happens "when children are back for the longer term" to ensure catch up #schoolsreopening

Gibb is asked whether special school staff will be treated like frontline care workers in terms of vaccine priority. He refers to the second phase being "occupationally based" and DfE will be making the case for special school staff and other education workers #schoolsreopening

Gibb is asked again about lack of internet provision for some pupils. He refers to deals with telecoms providers meaning pupils won't pay data charges for downloading educational material (covered here)

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/hurrah-telecoms-firms-will-now-make-oak-national-academy-free-to-access/

#schoolsreopening

Gibb is asked to confirm that any decision on reopenings will be made based on science and not on "arbitrary deadlines". Gibb says it's "absolutely right" that govt follows the science #schoolsreopening

And that's it. Thanks for following