Commenting as the Government’s latest school attendance data shows an improvement in pupil attendance rates, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union, NAHT, said:

“Everyone is sincerely hoping that the two weeks of improved pupil attendance figures we’ve seen will be a continued trend. But to ensure that, the government needs to do more to explain to the public the actions they are now supposed to be taking to keep themselves and others safe.

“Although the legal responsibility for testing and isolation has been removed, we all still have a personal responsibility to keep each other safe. Schools and families will still need to co-operate to minimise disruption and keep schools open.

“Parents and carers need to know what to do when a child has Covid, and that should be made clear by government, not left up to individual schools.

“Free access to lateral flow tests is vital. Charging for them disproportionately impacts children and workers from disadvantaged backgrounds.”