Latest statistics on school attendance - NEU comments

Commenting on the latest government statistics on school attendance, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:

"The number of pupils eligible to go to school and colleges is higher than in the previous lockdown but even given the increase in student numbers staff attendance rates could be much lower. More can be done to further the Government's aim of driving down infection rates by ensuring staff work at home wherever possible.

'We still regularly hear of schools expecting staff to teach remotely in empty classrooms or attend meetings which could happen online . Government guidance says that people should work from home unless absolutely necessary to be in work. This message needs to be adhered to in schools and colleges as much as in other workplaces."