Covid

Covid absence falls to 1.5% after self-isolation rules relaxed

But absences due to suspected or confirmed cases remain similar to the end of last term

But absences due to suspected or confirmed cases remain similar to the end of last term

attendance Covid

The proportion of pupils absent from school because of Covid dropped to 1.5 per cent in mid-September, attendance data shows, but absences due to suspected or confirmed cases remain similar to the end of last term.

Data published today by the Department for Education shows an estimated 59,000 pupils, or 0.7 per cent of the population, were absent on September 16 due to a confirmed case of Covid. Another 45,000, or 0.5 per cent, were off because of a suspected case.

But the figures also show absences due to Covid have been rising since the start of term. On September 7, 46,700 pupils were absent with a confirmed case, while 19,500 were off with a suspected case.

On July 8, the last date of the last academic year for which data is available, 0.6 per cent of pupils were off because of a confirmed case, while 0.5 per cent were off with a suspected case.

However, because pupils who are potential close contacts of confirmed cases no longer need to self-isolate, the overall proportion of Covid-related absences has plummeted. On July 8, this was 14.3 per cent, with more than 770,000 children isolating because of potential contact in school.

Government must be on ‘high alert’ over outbreaks

Paul Whiteman, leader of the NAHT union, said the numbers “reflect the latest changes to government policy”, but said it was “important to note that these national figures mask some significant issues arising at a local level”.

“We already know of schools that are struggling to keep classes open due to outbreaks occurring.”

The latest Public Health England data shows there were 211 acute respiratory infection (ARI) “incidents” involving Covid reported by education settings in the week ending September 12, up from 108 the previous week.

“It is crucial that both central and local government are now on high alert and are ready to react quickly if and when cases rise rapidly or outbreaks occur,” Whiteman added.

Today’s data shows 99.9 per cent of state schools were open on September 16, and 91.9 per cent of pupils were in attendance.

On September 16, 2,000 pupils were absent because of attendance restrictions put in place to manage an outbreak, less than 0.1 per cent of all pupils. A further 16,000 pupils, or 0.2 per cent, were absent due to isolation “for other reasons”.

The DfE said “fewer than 500” pupils were absent as a result of school closures for Covid reasons.

‘Clear that educational disruption remains significant’

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the ASCL school leadership union, said it was “clear from the fact that over 100,000 pupils were absent from school last week with a confirmed or suspected case of coronavirus that educational disruption remains significant”.

“We are hearing of schools where significant numbers of pupils are absent.”

He said the government should launch a public information campaign “to encourage twice-weekly home-testing”, provide funding for ventilation systems and “commit to providing more support if on-site testing is directed under the contingency framework”.

Secondary school absence higher than primary

As was often the case in the last academic year, absence levels varied slightly by school phase.

According to the DfE, Covid-related absence was at 1.6 per cent in state secondary schools on September 16, compared to 1.4 per cent in primaries.

Overall attendance was 90.2 per cent in secondary schools, but 93.5 per cent at primary.

Attendance data is only being published fortnightly this term, and from the end of October will only include weekly data, because the DfE plans to stop collecting it daily.

Latest education roles from

Recruitment Assistant

Recruitment Assistant

MidKent College

Lecturer – Art & Design

Lecturer – Art & Design

South Thames College

Progress Coordinator

Progress Coordinator

Kingston College

Chair of Governors at Parrs Wood High School (part of The Greater Manchester Education Trust)

Chair of Governors at Parrs Wood High School (part of The Greater Manchester Education Trust)

Satis Education

0.6 Lecturer in Environmental Conservation

0.6 Lecturer in Environmental Conservation

Capel Manor College

Learning Support Assistant

Learning Support Assistant

Ark Castledown Primary Academy

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

Food for Thought: How schools can encourage the next generation to make better food choices

With schools facing a number of challenges, including budget constraints and staff shortages, Marnie George, Senior Nutritionist at Chartwells,...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

A celebration of education as Bett turns 40!

The world of education has transformed dramatically in the past 40 years, but one thing remains constant: the dedication...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Equipping TAs for the Rise in SEND: How Schools Can Benefit from the Specialist Teaching Assistant (STA) Apprenticeship

The Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship opens up a new government-funded career pathway for teaching assistants. Here’s how...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

How tailored coaching training can transform whole-school cultures

Sophie Enstone, Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching, Goffs Academy, shares her perspective on her coaching journey, how it’s been...

SWAdvertorial

More from this theme

Covid

DfE Covid lockdown party may have gone on past 1am

Staff swiped out of Sanctuary Buildings 34 times after 10am on night of party, 8 times after 1am

Samantha Booth
Covid

Long Covid teachers join forces to sue ministers

About 85 teachers in the UK have expressed an interest in joining the action

Lucas Cumiskey
Covid

Williamson ‘considered resigning’ over ‘panic’ Jan 2021 school closures

Former ed sec tells Covid inquiry he did not have 'complete autonomy' over closure decisions, and claims his advice...

Freddie Whittaker
Covid

Covid: ‘Williamson threw schools under the bus’

Inquiry hears former education secretary opposed face masks in schools to avoid 'surrender' to unions

Amy Walker

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *