One in five primary children remain in classrooms

AROUND ONE in five primary school pupils in England were taught on-site last week, considerably higher than the number of those physically coming to class during the first national lockdown last spring, figures suggest.

Snapshot data from the Department for Education (DfE) shows 21 per cent of primary pupils were taught in the classroom as of January 13, dropping to five per cent (one in 20 pupils) of secondary students.

Overall, 14 per cent of all state school pupils in England were onsite last week, higher than when schools were partially closed between March and May last year during the first wave of the pandemic. In fact, on-site attendance for primary school pupils during the first lockdown was four per cent, and one per cent in secondary schools, according to the Government’s analysis.

Pupils in schools and colleges in England, except children of key workers and vulnerable pupils, have been told to learn remotely until mid-February due to tighter restrictions.

But approximately 709,000 children of critical workers were in attendance on January 13 – which represents 72 per cent of all pupils in attendance last week.

The data also suggested a drop in the percentage of vulnerable pupils, those who are in touch with social services, or have special educational needs or disabilities, attending school.

It found 34 per cent of all pupils with an EHCP (education health and care plan) on roll in state schools were in attendance on January 13, down from 75 per cent on December 16 although this was when schools were open.

DfE figures also show 239,103 laptops and devices have been sent to councils, academy trusts, schools and colleges across England.