Commenting as the government's latest release of attendance data for the week 29 April-5 May shows a slight drop in overall numbers (following a similar fall last week), Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said:

“The further, albeit small, decline in school attendance this week shows that we are far from out of the woods yet when it comes to the pandemic and disruption to school life.

"The work schools are doing to keep attendance numbers high should not be taken for granted. Delivering complex safety arrangements whilst also providing a settled learning environment for pupils remains an ongoing challenge.

"The fact that we have seen a growing number of pupils needing to self-isolate raises further questions about the government’s apparent willingness to ignore the advice from scientists, including SAGE, when it comes to face coverings. No-one wants to see restrictions in school for longer than is necessary, but nor do we want to see the progress of recent months put at risk.”

Press and Media contacts:

Steven George
NAHT Head of Press and Media
01444 472886
07970 907730

Rose Tremlett 
Senior Press Officer 
07545 354363

Email : press.office@naht.org.uk