Virus sparks record level of school absences

A record 1.13million children in England were out of school for Covid-19 related reasons towards the end of term.

Around 1,126,000 pupils missed class on Friday, July 16, compared with 859,000 the previous week, according to Department for Education (DfE) statistics.

The figures include 994,000 children self-isolating due to a possible contact with a Covid-19 case, 48,000 with a confirmed case of coronavirus, and 33,300 with a suspected case.

A further 50,700 pupils were off as a result of school closures due to Covid-related reasons.

The highest rate of Covidrelated absence was 26.5% in theNorthEastonJuly15,while London had the lowest (9.6%).

The North East also had the highest staff absences, with 11.1% of teachers and 11% teaching assistants absent for Covid-related reasons.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: "This data shows very starkly that it has been an extremely challenging end to an extremely challenging school year.

"Two things must happen. The Government must put a much greater focus on putting an end to educational disruption in the autumn term and provide more support to schools and colleges and it mustalsoprovideamuchmore ambitious and better funded recovery plan to address the learning loss experienced by many pupils during the pandemic.”

Current rules say that children have to self-isolate for 10 days if another pupil in their bubble tests positive for coronavirus but Education SecretaryGavinWilliamsonsaysthe use of "bubbles" in schools in England is to end.