Julie McCulloch, Director of Policy at the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“We are concerned about the incidence of suspected or confirmed Covid cases in schools and colleges at present, and the impact in terms of pupil absence and the potential for more serious disruption if classes cannot be covered. 

“The picture is uneven with some schools and colleges currently reporting minimal cases of illness among staff and pupils, while others are reporting that a number of staff are absent, with some members of staff being very poorly, and an increase in pupil absence. 

“The picture is complicated by the fact that Covid testing is not freely available, which means that it is often difficult to know whether or not illness is attributable to Covid. 

“Guidance from the UK Health Security Agency is not definitive, asking schools to “advise” people with a positive Covid test under 18 years to “try to” stay at home for three days and people over the age of 18 to stay at home for five days. 

“The Covid vaccination programme is not currently available to the majority of education staff despite them being in settings where there is a relatively high risk of contracting the illness. 

“As there is the potential for more illness, absence and disruption we urge the government to review its current approach with a view to providing guidance which is clearer and more helpful and extending the availability of vaccinations.”