Department for Education comment on attendance statistics

“Attendance in schools is now the highest it has been at any point during the pandemic, as students and staff continue to follow the protective measures set out in our guidance to reduce transmission of the virus.

“While the testing programme continues to gather pace, with millions of tests now being conducted each week, we are only seeing a small increase in the numbers of students testing positive and self-isolating,

“As secondary students, all school staff, and parents and carers of all children continue testing twice-weekly from home, we encourage everyone to keep playing their part, testing themselves regularly to keep everyone as safe as possible.”

Further information:

• 99.9% of state-funded schools were open on 18 March
• Attendance in state-funded schools was 91% on 18 March, up from 89% on 11 March, when secondary schools were still phasing the return of pupils. Attendance in state-funded schools in the week commencing 15 March was the highest reported attendance during the coronavirus pandemic.
• Attendance in state-funded primary schools was 93% on 18 March, down from 95% on 11 March and 94% on 15 March.
• Attendance in state-funded secondary schools was 89% on 18 March, similar to 15 March and up from 81% on 11 March when schools were phasing the return of pupils.
• Attendance in state-funded special schools was 83% on 18 March, similar to 11 March.