Virus hits school attendance figures

Three out of every five school pupils in England missed some lessons in the autumn term due to Covid-19 despite schools being open, new figures show.

On average, children missed one week of schooling between September and December compared with previous years, according to data from the Department for Education (DfE).

Historically, between four and five per cent of school sessions are missed due to absenceduringtheautumnterm, but in autumn last year an additionalsevenpercentwererecorded due to circumstances related to coronavirus.

That represents an extra 33 milliondays,orfiveschooldays perpupil,theDfEanalysissays.

Some 60% of pupils had some period during the autumn term where they did not attend in circumstances relating to Covid-19.

The figures come after headshavewarnedthattheeducation recovery for children who have missed out amid the pandemic "cannot happen on the cheap".

School leaders' union NAHT is calling for "significant" new investment from theTreasuryforrecoverywork to ensure the life chances of young people are not harmed.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:"Thesefiguresshowwhat we already know - the autumn term was an extremely turbulent period, with pupils having to self-isolate because they either contracted Covid or were in close contact with someone who tested positive.

"The Government's refusal togiveschoolsanyflexibilityto finish in-school teaching early beforeChristmas,astancethat wasaccompaniedbythreatsof legalaction,madematterseven worse."