Virus drags down secondary school attendance to 83%

Nearly two thirds secondary schools in England had at least one pupil self-isolating at home due to potential contact with coronavirus last week, new figures show.

Overall pupil attendance in secondary schools has dropped from 87% a week earlier to 83% on November 12, according to the Department for Education (DfE) statistics.

One head teachers' union called on the Government to allow schools to move to a rota system, adding that the current situation is "unsustainable".

Around 29% of schools reported they had one or more pupils self-isolating due to potential contact with a Covid-19 case at school – up from 16% the week before.

Attendance in primary schools dropped from 92% to 90%.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: "Disruption is widespread and is happening in an ad hoc manner because of the unpredictability of outbreaks. This makes it very difficult for schools to be able to plan and deliver lessons and catch-up support.

"We understand the Government's desire to keep pupils in school full-time but when nearly two-thirds of second aries are sending pupils home, we have a chaotic system. Schools need to be given more latitude to move to a planned rota system if they feel that is in the best interests of pupils.”

A DfE spokeswoman said: "Over 99% of schools have been open every week since term began and millions of pupils are benefiting from being there.

"The chief medical officer remains of the view that schools should remain open, and has highlighted the damage caused by not being in education to children's learning, development and mental health."