School attendance is still mandatory despite COVID-19 infection fears, says Dorset Council
New data's shown around one in 35 pupils across the country were off last week because of Coronavirus
Dorset's parents are being told to keep their children in school, despite covid-19 infection rates.
New data's shown around one in 35 pupils across the country were off last week because of Coronavirus.
Dorset Council's Director of Education and Learning says attendance remains mandatory for all school age children.
Vik Verma, Director of Education and Learning, Dorset Council told Greatest Hits Radio Dorset:
“Schools are guided by national advice from the Department for Education on attendance requirements, so attendance remains mandatory for all pupils of compulsory school age. Schools have clear processes in place to manage any cases of COVID-19 and they are supported by Public Health Dorset to ensure all necessary measures are taken.
“Since the autumn half term, Directors of Public Health in the South West have recommended that schools in the region implement additional measures aiming to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including enhanced testing and reducing large gatherings. We ask families to help reduce the likelihood of transmission in schools by continuing with regular rapid testing and keeping children at home and arranging a PCR test if they develop any symptoms of COVID-19.”
Fines for unauthorised absence
When asked if parents would be fined for taking their children out of school due to concerns of Covid-19 infection, Dorset County gave us this statement.
“Dorset Council works collaboratively with its schools and academies to support our children to attend their education setting safely. We work closely with Headteachers and follow the guidance set by the Department for Education in relation to management of attendance taking into consideration the impact of the pandemic and Covid-related absence.”
Reaction for teaching union
But, the national education union says new measures need to come in to stop COVID-spread in classrooms.
On December 9th over 236,000 pupils were off school across the country due to coronavirus.
Commenting on attendance figures for education settings on 9 December, Hannah Packham, South West NEU Regional Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“The Prime Minister's end of term report makes for sorry reading. Boris Johnson has not kept his eye on the ball, and his lack of action in ensuring schools have measures in place to keep on top of ever-increasing Covid infection rates is shocking. Today's data show that 236,000 pupils were absent from school on 9 December for Covid-19 related reasons, around one in 35 pupils.
“The NEU has been calling for a fit for purpose Plan B for schools, one that increases safety mitigations for schools and colleges and would ensure continuity of education and a control on case counts. It emphasises face coverings, isolation, ventilation, staggered break times, one-way routes around the school site, and guidance on gatherings and access to vaccines for staff.
“How we approach the new year is in the gift of the Prime Minister. He has got us to this place and must not simply rely on the school holiday to halt the rise of Covid in schools. Boris Johnson must bring forward a plan to keep schools and colleges safe and to keep education going. He can start by looking at the NEU's.”