School attendance highest in region during pandemic

School attendance in Herefordshire has been amongst the highest in the West Midlands during the coronavirus pandemic.

Just over 5,200 pupils were attending school as of June 22 compared to a usual total in normal times of around 23,500.

Officers told this week’s children and young people scrutiny committee that the county has seen a comparatively greater level of attendance of students than some other local authority areas in the region and nationally.

Attendance for vulnerable pupils has increased and peaked around 20% – this has been above national levels throughout the pandemic.

Council officers also explained how attendance has increased gradually and consistently during the different phases of schools reopening.

As of June 1, all special schools were open while only 55% of primary schools opened their doors to students – secondary schools were closed to most apart from key workers’ children and vulnerable pupils.

By June 8,  60% of primary schools were open and the situation remained the same as the previous week for secondary and special schools.

However by June 15,  all primary schools and secondary schools were open but high schools only opened to year 10, year 12 and key worker and vulnerable pupils.