Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether students who are absent from school because their school is partially closed due to a shortage of staff are recorded as being absent for covid-19 related reasons in his Department’s Attendance in education and early years settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak statistical releases.

All pupils, in all year groups, should be in school full time this year. If schools have concerns about accommodating pupils due to staff absence related to COVID-19, they should discuss this with their local regional schools commissioner team.

Whilst pupils will be recorded as absent in circumstances where there are staff shortages, they should not be recorded as absent for COVID-19 related reasons in the ‘Attendance in education and early years settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak’ statistical releases.