COVID-19: Soaring virus-related absences in England's state schools could 'seriously damage' exam grades, headteachers say
Concerns are also over the number of absent teachers, with some 23% of English state schools seeing more than 15% of their teachers and school leaders away from school last week, up from 11% on 3 March.
Tuesday 22 March 2022 16:35, UK
Levels of COVID-related pupil absences in state schools in England have more than tripled, leading to concerns over how it may impact grades.
In total, 201,600 pupils were off for COVID-related reasons on 17 March, up from 45,100 on 3 March, the latest government figures show.
The rate of COVID-linked absences rose to 2.5% of students on 17 March, up from 0.7% on 3 March.
The rising COVID cases have prompted concerns from headteachers about the potential impact absences will have on grades.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said with "exams looming for many students this is a very worrying time".
He added: "More disruption now could be seriously damaging to pupils' exam chances and education recovery."
The latest wave of cases among students comes as pupils prepare for upcoming GCSE, A-level and other exams in the summer term.
However, concerns over absences also apply to staff as some 23% of all state schools had more than 15% of their teachers and school leaders absent, up from 11% on 3 March, the data shows.
Mr Whiteman added that the latest figures align with what the union has been hearing from its members, with COVID cases spiking in many schools in the past week.
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Free testing must continue as 'absolute minimum'
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said its members were seeing "very severe disruption" caused by COVID.
He added that the government "as an absolute minimum" must continue to make free COVID testing available in educational settings after 1 April.
Read more: What does 'Living with COVID' mean?
Free lateral flows won't be available after 1 April in England, except for the over-75s and over-12s with weakened immune systems, meaning everyone else will have to buy test kits.
Last month, the government set out its 'Living with COVID' plan, which ended most of the remaining restrictions.
This included an end to the legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive and also set out the government's plan to end free testing for most people.