Virus fears grow as school numbers drop
The number of pupils attending schools in England has dropped over the past week amid concerns about the Indian coronavirus variant, new figures show.
Just over nine in 10 (91%) pupils were in class on May 20 – down from 92% on May 12, according to the Department for Education (DfE) statistics.
Approximately 87% of secondary school pupils attended last week, down from 89% on the previous week, while attendance in primary schools fell to 94% from 95% on May 12.
The data suggests that 82,000 pupils were out of class and self-isolating due to potential contact with a case of coronavirus, compared to 65,000 the previous week.
The figures come after the Government removed the requirement for secondary school and college pupils to wear face masks in class despite worries about the Indian variant of the virus.
The DfE estimates that up to 104,000 children did not attend school for Covid-19 related reasons on May 20.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said: "As these numbers show, it is still far too soon to be complacent about lifting Covid restrictions or relaxing safety measures in schools.
"There is growing concern about the spread of the Indian variant in schools. The Government must make the data they hold on this public.
"Schools need transparency about the levels of infection around the country so they can make sure they have the right measures in place and the Government must be proactive to ensure that transmission in schools, particularly of the new variant, is not allowed to proceed unchecked."