Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “The desire to get back to normal is overwhelming. With the impact in schools remaining more acute than the rest of society the government will need to explain in clear and unambiguous terms why they think the lifting of all restrictions should apply to schools at this point. It is imperative that the government generates public confidence in the approach to restrictions in schools.

“It would be naïve to think that lifting the requirement to self-isolate will end the disruption in schools. The current reality is that we’re seeing very high numbers of pupils and staff, particularly at primary, catching and becoming ill with Covid. Whilst thankfully for most people, the symptoms appear to be relatively mild, large numbers are still unwell enough to have to miss school, not because of the requirement to self-isolate, but because they are simply not well enough to be in school. Whilst this change may, in some cases, reduce the amount of time pupils and staff are absent for, it won’t stop those absences altogether. 

“School leaders and parents will also need clarity from public health advisors about when pupils and staff do still need to stay at home. For example, current NHS advice says that children who have been absent with a sickness bug should stay away from schools for two days after their symptoms have gone. It would seem very strange to have a lower bar for Covid than some other illnesses. Absolute clarity of messaging will be required here.”