Secondary schools in England sending home pupils because of Covid is increasing rather than diminishing

Secondary schools in England sending home pupils because of Covid is increasing rather than diminishing

By Onlykhabar News Media Thu 15 October, 2020 ( about 5 years ago ) 🎤564 Viewerseducation

This is usually because they have sent home pupils in response to Covid cases.

There are 21% of secondary schools counted as not fully open - up from 18% the previous week and 8% in mid-September. About 7% of primary schools had to send home pupils, up from 5%.  It follows the government announcing it would press ahead with a full set of GCSE and A-level exams next summer, prompting warnings about unfairness for those missing out on school. These weekly figures from the Department for Education show a worsening picture for secondary schools being disrupted by the pandemic, with the highest figure for groups of pupils being sent home since schools went back in the autumn. 

Geoff Barton, leader of the ASCL head teachers' union, said the continuing fall in the number of fully open secondary schools showed how difficult it was to "operate amidst rising Covid infection rates". "The pressure is immense," he said - and he raised concerns about the well-being of school staff.  He says schools are having to try to balance "managing complex control measures while delivering education for those in school as well as those who are at home self-isolating". "It is essential that government gets a grip on the testing system so that no pupil or teacher is out of school for longer than they need to be," said Paul Whiteman, leader of the National Association of Head Teachers. Overall attendance, including primary schools, has remained at about 90%.

There is no regional breakdown to show where problems are concentrated - but secondary schools seem to be more adversely affected than primary schools, with a rate of sending home pupils three times higher than primary schools. England's Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said schools were able to provide more online lessons and "only a small minority of pupils are self isolating". "It is encouraging to see the vast majority of schools are open," he said. "Regular and full-time attendance in school is absolutely essential to help pupils catch up on time out of the classroom.

Similar Posts

By Onlykhabar News Media Thu 15 October, 2020 🎤564 Viewerseducation
TAGS: England Education School Covid - 19
Secondary schools in England sending home pupils because of Covid is increasing rather than diminishing

Give Your Comments

Visitors on Site

Loading ..

Socialize

Latest News Highlight