One in 10 Devon children off school

So are four per cent of teachers

Attendance of pupils in Devon’s school is just over 90 per cent; five percentage points lower than the normal average.

Cllr James McInnes, Devon County Council cabinet member for schools, told councillors that 90.4 per cent of pupils are attending school in the county, compared to annual average in normal circumstances of 95.2 per cent.

No details were given as to why nearly one in 10 children are not at school, but Mr McInnes said that there were six schools who, following Public Health England advice, have had to close to certain year groups or have self-isolated ‘bubbles’ of children.

All groups currently self-isolating are expected be back in school by Tuesday 6 October, Cllr McInnes said, although a seventh school, Atlantic Academy in Bideford, has subsequently had a positive test and pupils will be self-isolating for the 14 days.

Cllr McInnes also revealed that there are currently four per cent of teachers, 244 of them, are off work not – although this could be for any reason. He added: “The teachers have been enthusiastic about getting kids back and a lot of work has been done to make a school covid-secure. To have over 90 per cent attendance is brilliant, but we have to face the reality it will be with us for some months to come and have to help schools continue the process.”