Commenting as the government’s latest school attendance figures show a sharp increase in both pupil and staff Covid-related absence, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“These figures are absolutely in line with what we have been hearing from our members. Covid cases have been spiking again in many schools over the past week or so – in line with the rising numbers nationally.

"Staff absence is once again a big concern – this data shows nearly 1 in 10 teachers and school leaders absent, which is as bad as the very start of term. Many schools are reporting that it is near impossible to find supply staff to cover and there is no doubt that this level of disruption has a negative impact on pupils. Right now, many school leaders are facing a huge challenge when it comes to maintaining educational provision.

“The government urgently needs to remind people that just because the legal requirement to isolate has been removed, there is still a duty to take appropriate action to reduce the spread of Covid – just like any other illness. Parents need to be clear on when they can send their children to school and when they need to stay at home.

“Removing free access to lateral flow tests at this point feels irresponsible. It will make tracking and controlling Covid almost impossible. There is a lot of anxiety from school leaders about what could happen once tests are unavailable.

“The government cannot just let Covid rip through schools. Learners need and deserve better than that. Covid hasn’t gone away and we need a proper plan for how to live with it long-term that is focused on keeping levels low and reducing disruption.

“With exams looming for many students this is a very worrying time. Many schools are still finishing teaching the specifications as there has been so much disruption over the two years of exam courses – it is getting very tight for time already for teacher led revision and exam preparation work. More disruption now could be seriously damaging to pupils’ exam chances and education recovery.”