Heads say rising pupil absence is ‘extremely concerning’
2 years, 8 months ago

Heads say rising pupil absence is ‘extremely concerning’

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Headteachers have said rising pupil absence rates in July are “extremely concerning”, and that the trend could mean further Covid-19 disruption to education in winter. “However, given the rising rates of infection across society, it is highly likely that Covid is playing a significant role in these worrying figures.” He said the Government, which had “already appeared to have washed its hands of responsibility” for rising Covid rates, was now “even more distracted by its own internal politics”. We need a proper plan for how to live with it long term that is focused on keeping levels low and reducing disruption.” This is a wake-up call: if the next Covid wave arrives in winter, transmission and sickness levels are likely to be much worse unless the DfE gets its act together Kevin Courtney Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the NEU teaching union, said the high rates were “causing further disruption to pupils’ education as they try to catch up on missed learning before the end of the academic year”. “This is a wake-up call: if the next Covid wave arrives in winter, transmission and sickness levels are likely to be much worse unless the DfE gets its act together and properly funds adequate ventilation in all classrooms.”

School Covid Pupil 23 June  heads  pupil  say  rising  absence  school  covid  levels  extremely  winter  term  23  concerning  rates  wave  pupils  staff

History of this topic

Record number of pupils in England ‘severely absent’ from school
1 week ago

Record number of pupils in England ‘severely absent’ from school

Hindustan Times  

The number of pupils in England absent for long periods of time reached a record high last year, Government figures suggest. Department for Education data indicates that 2.3% of pupils were “severely absent”, which means they missed at least 50% of possible school sessions, in 2023/24, compared with 2.0% in 2022/23. A school leaders’ union warned last week that some …

Nine in ten headteachers had pupils skip classes for holidays last year, with absence trend only getting worse
1 week, 6 days ago

Nine in ten headteachers had pupils skip classes for holidays last year, with absence trend only getting worse

Daily Mail  

Nine in ten headteachers had pupils skip lessons for family holidays this year amid concern that parents regard school as 'optional'. A survey of 9,000 heads found 93 per cent had pupils take time off for holidays this academic year – a rise from 87 per cent in the previous one. Some 81 per cent had pupils taking time off …

‘Crisis of school absenteeism’ affecting poorer pupils the most, new data suggests
1 month ago

‘Crisis of school absenteeism’ affecting poorer pupils the most, new data suggests

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Pupils on …

School absences doubled as ‘knock-on’ effect of pandemic lockdowns – report
6 months, 3 weeks ago

School absences doubled as ‘knock-on’ effect of pandemic lockdowns – report

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy School absence rates in the UK doubled from pre-pandemic levels …

Number of children missing school an ‘epidemic’, Education Secretary says
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Number of children missing school an ‘epidemic’, Education Secretary says

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Pupils absent from class during exam years ‘more likely to receive worse GCSEs’
1 year, 4 months ago

Pupils absent from class during exam years ‘more likely to receive worse GCSEs’

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. I am deeply concerned by the extent of severe and persistent absenteeism in exam-critical …

Parents no longer think children must be in school every day post-Covid – report
1 year, 6 months ago

Parents no longer think children must be in school every day post-Covid – report

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Post-Covid, parents no longer felt that to be the case, and instead view attending …

US grapples with attendance crisis as millions of kids miss weeks of school
1 year, 7 months ago

US grapples with attendance crisis as millions of kids miss weeks of school

Hindustan Times  

When in-person school resumed after pandemic closures, Rousmery Negrón and her 11-year-old son both noticed a change: School seemed less welcoming. More than a quarter of students missed at least 10% of the 2021-22 school year, making them chronically absent, according to the most recent data available. Some of the things that prevent students from getting to school are consistent …

Millions of kids are missing weeks of school as attendance tanks across the US
1 year, 7 months ago

Millions of kids are missing weeks of school as attendance tanks across the US

Associated Press  

— When in-person school resumed after pandemic closures, Rousmery Negrón and her 11-year-old son both noticed a change: School seemed less welcoming. Some of the things that prevent students from getting to school are consistent — illness, economic distress — but “something has changed,” said Todd Langager, who helps San Diego County schools address absenteeism. Those students face poverty and …

Millions of kids are missing weeks of school as attendance tanks across the US
1 year, 7 months ago

Millions of kids are missing weeks of school as attendance tanks across the US

The Independent  

Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. More than a quarter of students missed at least 10% of the …

Pupils more likely to miss school on Fridays since the pandemic, MPs told
2 years ago

Pupils more likely to miss school on Fridays since the pandemic, MPs told

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. We’ve had evidence from kids: ‘Well, you know mum and dad are at home, …

More Students Enrolled in Govt Schools Post Pandemic; Learning Levels of Classes 3-5 Drop: ASER
2 years, 2 months ago

More Students Enrolled in Govt Schools Post Pandemic; Learning Levels of Classes 3-5 Drop: ASER

News 18  

The number of students enrolled in schools in the 6-14 age-group increased to 98.4% in 2022 from 97.2% in 2018, with a higher number of children enrolled in government schools than private schools. Also, there is an alarming drop in learning levels in classes 3 and 5, as per the findings of the Annual Status of Education Report 2022 that …

Viral outbreak that forced 1,000 pupils off sick at ONE Virginia school is blamed on influenza
2 years, 5 months ago

Viral outbreak that forced 1,000 pupils off sick at ONE Virginia school is blamed on influenza

Daily Mail  

A viral outbreak that caused 1,000 students at a Virginia school to miss class last week is believed to have been caused by influenza A, local officials report. A viral outbreak that has struck Stafford High School in Fredericksburg, Virginia, is believed to be cause by influenza A after multiple students tested positive for the virus. Around 1,000 students missed …

Nearly 40% of students absent at San Diego school as wave of illness signals fierce flu season
2 years, 5 months ago

Nearly 40% of students absent at San Diego school as wave of illness signals fierce flu season

LA Times  

The global public health community has warned for months that the U.S. may be in for a particularly severe flu season. Alarming surges of respiratory illness at a San Diego high school and the region’s only children’s hospital are strong evidence that a fierce flu season has arrived early this year. Bradley said the hospital has admitted about 250 young …

13,000 school exclusions due to breach of Covid rules, figures show
2 years, 7 months ago

13,000 school exclusions due to breach of Covid rules, figures show

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Breaches of coronavirus rules were …

Children’s commissioner calls for 100% attendance in autumn term
2 years, 9 months ago

Children’s commissioner calls for 100% attendance in autumn term

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy England’s children’s commissioner has called for 100% attendance in schools …

Report finds reception children have fallen behind due to Covid-19 disruption
2 years, 10 months ago

Report finds reception children have fallen behind due to Covid-19 disruption

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. When children returned to our nursery after the pandemic, many struggled with vital aspects …

COVID-19 cases expected to surge as Queensland students return to face-to-face learning
3 years, 1 month ago

COVID-19 cases expected to surge as Queensland students return to face-to-face learning

ABC  

An infectious diseases expert has warned Queensland schools will see a rapid rise in children testing positive to COVID-19 now that students across the state have returned to classrooms. Queensland COVID-19 snapshot In latest reporting period: Deaths: 11 11 New cases: 5,698 Queensland's vaccine rollout: First dose: 93.2 per cent 93.2 per cent Second dose: 92.7 per cent Latest case …

Nearly one in 10 school staff are absent, latest data reveals
3 years, 1 month ago

Nearly one in 10 school staff are absent, latest data reveals

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The major headache for many education leaders remains one of trying to plug the …

Andhra Pradesh sees 74 per cent attendance in schools
3 years, 2 months ago

Andhra Pradesh sees 74 per cent attendance in schools

Deccan Chronicle  

Vijayawada: The number of students attending schools has gone up to 74 per cent on the second day against 61 per cent on the first day of reopening of schools after Sankranti vacation in the state. Minister for education Adimulapu Suresh here on Tuesday said that more students were turning up at the schools to attend classes given the rise …

COVID-19 pandemic may not have been all bad for school students, study finds
3 years, 2 months ago

COVID-19 pandemic may not have been all bad for school students, study finds

ABC  

Despite the significant disruption the COVID-19 pandemic caused to schools, some students still look back on the experience positively, an Australian study shows. Key points: An Australian study found students who reported creativity in their learning during the pandemic also reported less overall stress Schools have an opportunity to re-imagine the way classes are taught, researcher Dr Tim Patston said …

Plans ‘being drawn up by schools to remain closed after New Year’
3 years, 3 months ago

Plans ‘being drawn up by schools to remain closed after New Year’

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said that …

Number of nurseries with Covid cases reaches all-time high as schools hit by ‘severe low attendance’
3 years, 3 months ago

Number of nurseries with Covid cases reaches all-time high as schools hit by ‘severe low attendance’

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy More nurseries …

How school closures have hurt our less fortunate students more
3 years, 6 months ago

How school closures have hurt our less fortunate students more

Live Mint  

With most Indian schools shut for the past year and a half, children from poor households, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, are rapidly forgetting what they had learned before the pandemic, new survey data suggests. Previous surveys during the pandemic have also reported learning setbacks, but the latest one comes at a time when children are preparing to advance two …

Parents taking children out of school to reduce risk of being 'pinged'
3 years, 8 months ago

Parents taking children out of school to reduce risk of being 'pinged'

Daily Mail  

School leaders today raised fears over parents keeping their children at home for the final days of term to avoid their summer holidays being cancelled by self-isolation. A teacher and pupils wear face masks at a school in London in March this year Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, and Justine Roberts, the chief …

Survey: Even as schools reopen, many students learn remotely
3 years, 11 months ago

Survey: Even as schools reopen, many students learn remotely

Associated Press  

Large numbers of students are not returning to the classroom even as more schools reopen for full-time, in-person learning, according to a survey released Wednesday by the Biden administration. Nearly 46% of public schools offered five days a week of in-person learning to all students in February, according to the survey, but just 34% of students were learning full time …

Highest school attendance during pandemic in England but tens of thousands still self-isolating, data shows
4 years ago

Highest school attendance during pandemic in England but tens of thousands still self-isolating, data shows

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The number …

Thousands of students have dropped out of school due to Covid-19. These are the educators trying to track them down
4 years ago

Thousands of students have dropped out of school due to Covid-19. These are the educators trying to track them down

CNN  

CNN — The first thing you need to know about dropping out of school is that it doesn’t happen all at once. Enrollment is down across the board,” said Jessica Irving-Marin of Youth Empowerment Project, a program which helps high school students who can’t or won’t go to traditional school pass the equivalent of the GED administered in Louisiana. “What …

Dr. Rochelle Walensky: CDC director says ‘we have work to do’ when it comes to reopening schools safely
4 years, 1 month ago

Dr. Rochelle Walensky: CDC director says ‘we have work to do’ when it comes to reopening schools safely

CNN  

CNN — The director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Sunday emphasized the need for masking and other mitigation measures in order to reopen schools safely, saying “we have work to do” as teachers, students and parents continue to struggle with Covid-19’s impact on education. As that transmission comes down we’ll be able to relax some …

Number of students in school during lockdown rises to 15 per cent in England
4 years, 1 month ago

Number of students in school during lockdown rises to 15 per cent in England

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Around 15 per cent of all …

Teacher absences due to Covid six times higher than for pupils in primary schools
4 years, 2 months ago

Teacher absences due to Covid six times higher than for pupils in primary schools

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The proportion …

Teachers and pupils are struggling, as school shutdown is extended
4 years, 2 months ago

Teachers and pupils are struggling, as school shutdown is extended

Dutch News  

School teachers are becoming increasingly worried about both their pupils and educational standards, now that schools are set to remain closed until at least February 7, according to a string of new reports and surveys. One in three primary school teachers in a survey by DUO said it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep all children involved in online education …

Teachers and pupils are struggling, as school shutdown is extended
4 years, 2 months ago

Teachers and pupils are struggling, as school shutdown is extended

Dutch News  

School teachers are becoming increasingly worried about both their pupils and educational standards, now that schools are set to remain closed until at least February 7, according to a string of new reports and surveys. One in three primary school teachers in a survey by DUO said it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep all children involved in online education …

Coronavirus: New school rules could undermine lockdown and put poorest families at greatest risk, experts warn
4 years, 2 months ago

Coronavirus: New school rules could undermine lockdown and put poorest families at greatest risk, experts warn

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. This isn’t a lockdown.” At her 420-pupil school, she estimates that, with children of …

More pupils attending state schools, government figures show, as lockdown ‘has positive effect’
4 years, 3 months ago

More pupils attending state schools, government figures show, as lockdown ‘has positive effect’

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The number …

Labour calls for exam changes to make them ‘truly fair to all pupils’ amid Covid disruption
4 years, 3 months ago

Labour calls for exam changes to make them ‘truly fair to all pupils’ amid Covid disruption

The Independent  

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Around one in 10 state school pupils out of school for Covid-related reasons, latest figures show
4 years, 4 months ago

Around one in 10 state school pupils out of school for Covid-related reasons, latest figures show

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Around one …

As school coronavirus infections rise, teachers call for calm approach
4 years, 4 months ago

As school coronavirus infections rise, teachers call for calm approach

Dutch News  

Schools are now the fourth-most often reported source of coronavirus infections and the number of pupils picking up the virus is increasing, broadcaster NOS said on Tuesday. For example, paediatrician and epidemiologist Patrica Bruijning has suggested introducing class by class testing and variable school hours as ways of reducing the risk of infection. And the secondary school association VO Raad …

As school coronavirus infections rise, teachers call for calm approach
4 years, 4 months ago

As school coronavirus infections rise, teachers call for calm approach

Dutch News  

Schools are now the fourth-most often reported source of coronavirus infections and the number of pupils picking up the virus is increasing, broadcaster NOS said on Tuesday. For example, paediatrician and epidemiologist Patrica Bruijning has suggested introducing class by class testing and variable school hours as ways of reducing the risk of infection. And the secondary school association VO Raad …

Coronavirus: Hull’s school system on ‘brink of collapse’ as infection rates spiral among students and staff
4 years, 4 months ago

Coronavirus: Hull’s school system on ‘brink of collapse’ as infection rates spiral among students and staff

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Hull’s entire school system is “on the brink of collapse” …

Coronavirus: Report calls for help for school pupils facing exams after education disrupted by pandemic
4 years, 4 months ago

Coronavirus: Report calls for help for school pupils facing exams after education disrupted by pandemic

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy School pupils in England should take rigorous externally set assessment tests …

School scandal as 600k pupils are sent home due to coronavirus
4 years, 5 months ago

School scandal as 600k pupils are sent home due to coronavirus

Daily Mail  

Almost 600,000 secondary school pupils were forced to isolate at home for Covid-related reasons last week. She said last week: 'Some are sending entire year groups home for a fortnight because a single pupil tests positive for Covid, something that is actually against Government guidance and should stop.' More than 55 per cent of secondary schools had at least one …

Coronavirus: Partial state school closures rise for third week in a row
4 years, 5 months ago

Coronavirus: Partial state school closures rise for third week in a row

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The number …

Coronavirus: Nearly one in five state secondary schools not fully open, government figures show
4 years, 5 months ago

Coronavirus: Nearly one in five state secondary schools not fully open, government figures show

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Nearly one …

Coronavirus: One-fifth of teachers have seen ‘significant’ pupil absence due to Covid-19, survey finds
4 years, 5 months ago

Coronavirus: One-fifth of teachers have seen ‘significant’ pupil absence due to Covid-19, survey finds

The Independent  

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New Dashboard Tracks Coronavirus Cases In Schools Across 47 States
4 years, 6 months ago

New Dashboard Tracks Coronavirus Cases In Schools Across 47 States

NPR  

New Dashboard Tracks Coronavirus Cases In Schools Across 47 States A new national effort asks K-12 schools to voluntarily — and anonymously — report their confirmed and suspected coronavirus cases, along with the safety strategies they're using. Here's a closer look at some key metrics within the database: Infection rate among students Schools that have brought students back in person …

Baltimore virtual classes in Covid: Educators are tracking students down to fight low attendance
4 years, 6 months ago

Baltimore virtual classes in Covid: Educators are tracking students down to fight low attendance

CNN  

CNN — Every week, community school site specialist Evan Murray calls Baltimore students at his school who are not logging on for classes. On the first week of school the daily average of students logging in without interruption was only 65%, said Sonja Santelises, CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools. It’s hard to know if that number is accurate because …

Coronavirus: Four out of five English schools have absent pupils who can’t get a test
4 years, 6 months ago

Coronavirus: Four out of five English schools have absent pupils who can’t get a test

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said the system for getting pupils tested was “in chaos”, …

School closures are inevitable if teachers and pupils cannot get Covid-19 tests
4 years, 6 months ago

School closures are inevitable if teachers and pupils cannot get Covid-19 tests

The Independent  

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