Commenting as the government’s latest school attendance
figures show a sharp increase in both pupil and staff
Covid-related absence, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school
leaders’ union NAHT, said:
“These figures are absolutely in line with what we have been
hearing from our members. Covid cases have been spiking again in
many schools over the past week or so – in line with the rising
numbers nationally.
"Staff absence is once again a big concern – this data shows
nearly 1 in 10 teachers and school leaders absent, which is as
bad as the very start of term. Many schools are reporting that it
is near impossible to find supply staff to cover and there is no
doubt that this level of disruption has a negative impact on
pupils. Right now, many school leaders are facing a huge
challenge when it comes to maintaining educational provision.
“The government urgently needs to remind people that just because
the legal requirement to isolate has been removed, there is still
a duty to take appropriate action to reduce the spread of Covid –
just like any other illness. Parents need to be clear on when
they can send their children to school and when they need to stay
at home.
“Removing free access to lateral flow tests at this point feels
irresponsible. It will make tracking and controlling Covid almost
impossible. There is a lot of anxiety from school leaders about
what could happen once tests are unavailable.
“The government cannot just let Covid rip through schools.
Learners need and deserve better than that. Covid hasn’t gone
away and we need a proper plan for how to live with it long-term
that is focused on keeping levels low and reducing disruption.
“With exams looming for many students this is a very worrying
time. Many schools are still finishing teaching the
specifications as there has been so much disruption over the two
years of exam courses – it is getting very tight for time already
for teacher led revision and exam preparation work. More
disruption now could be seriously damaging to pupils’ exam
chances and education recovery.”
