The Department has published the latest data on
attendance
in education and early years settings.
Education Secretary
said:
“It’s encouraging to see that 99.9% of schools are open, meaning
millions of children and young people continue to benefit from
direct interaction with their friends and teachers.
“As we would expect, this data shows a small number of pupils are
self-isolating in line with public health advice, and schools,
colleges and early years settings across the country continue to
work tremendously hard to ensure protective measures are in place
to reduce the risks of transmission. All have access to timely
advice and support through our helpline if they have a positive
case.
“The fact so many schools are open is testament to that hard work
and, crucially, means children and young people can continue
their education with minimal disruption.”
Background
- Our estimates show that more than seven million pupils
attended schools and colleges last week.
- Around 75% of schools and colleges respond to the education
settings survey. Before being published, the figures are adjusted
to provide a national picture.
- On 17 September, 99.9% of state-funded schools were open to
pupils.
- Local public health protection teams are working with the
0.1% of schools which are completely closed to support them to
reopen as soon as possible. These temporary closures reflect
exceptional circumstances such as cases amongst staff members at
very small schools.
- 94% of state-funded schools were fully open on 17 September.
Up from 92% on 10 September. Schools are considered fully open if
they are able to provide face-to-face teaching for all pupils on
roll for the whole school day and they have not asked a group of
pupils to self-isolate.
- We are in daily contact with local authorities to monitor the
very small number of schools that are closing to some or all of
their pupils, to ensure they have only done so on advice from
their local Health Protection Team, and to support them to reopen
to some or all of their pupils as soon as is appropriate.
- The majority of schools that are closing are only doing so
for some pupils – the small class or year group bubble that has
been in close contact with a suspected case.
- We will continue to work with schools to ensure all
appropriate steps are taken to keep pupils and staff safe. As set
out by the Chief
Medical Officers of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and
Wales, coronavirus is rarely serious in children. They have
also made clear - that the risk of catching coronavirus at
school is low, meaning that the risk to children being out of
school is, in fact, far greater.
- Our guidance for a full opening of schools, which includes
expectations around remote education, is available on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools#res
