Pandemic schooling puts pupils off classes

School pupils feeling they do not need to be in class because of the remote learning provided during national lockdowns is driving poor attendances, education watchdogs have found.

Ofsted says that, in secondary schools in particular, the provision of remote education during national lock downs has “negatively affected some pupils' perceptions of the need to be in school".

It also says some parents also expect that online learning will be provided for their children if they go on holiday during term time.

In January, Government figures showed that one in 20 pupils was off school for coronavirus-related reasons.

The Ofsted report said schools which had successfully raised pupil attendance were good at communicating the need to be in school to both pupils and parents.

Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman said there is "no doubt that schools continue to face some very tricky challenges around pupil attendance".

Ms Spielman said headteachers who have successfully improved attendance understand the importance of making their school "a safe place where pupils really want to be ", and they" also seek to understand what is stopping individualpupils from attending regularly.”

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said Ofsted's findings were "sensible, albeit rather obvious".

He added: "All schools are already working very hard to address attendance issues but it is worrying to note some students are failing to recognise the crucial importance of being in school as a result of experiencing remote learning.”