One in ten kids still not back to school as classes reopen

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MORE than one in ten kids were still NOT back in school last week, new figures show.

Most kids in England have returned back to the classroom, but some kids were still at home over coronavirus fears.

Around 12 per cent of kids are not back in the classroom as of September 10th

Boris Johnson promised that all schools

Some 99 per cent of schools opened on time, and 88 per cent of kids attended class, according to fresh government numbers out today.

The one per cent that are closed or partly-open is said to be because of coronavirus outbreaks.

Absences are usually around 4.9 per cent, according to Government data from 2019/20 – meaning that more than double that amount are currently out of school.

But it’s thought that some of the absences may be because of the usual bugs going around schools – as thousands make their way back in with their peers as it usual in September.

A No10 spokesperson said today: “We always knew there would be some parents where it may take time for them to feel confident in sending kids back.

“These figures should reassure parents that the vast majority of children are safely back in school.”

Parents who don’t send their kids to school can now face fines again, but it’s understood that no fines have been dished out since schools reopened.

Downing Street added: “We have always been clear that fines will only ever be used as a last resort where there’s no valid reason for absence. It is vital to help children catch up. 

“Schools should work with families to ensure that kids are back in school.”

But while ministers managed to reopen schools on time, there is growing alarm that kids’ education will be thrown into a fresh crisis by the testing shambles, which is seeing entire year groups forced to stay home and self isolate.

Heads and teachers have reported being unable to get tests and thousands have had to isolate at home in case they have the virus.

Mitcham and Morden MP Siobhain McDonagh said today that it was “vital this shortfall is addressed as a matter of urgency”.

Schools will be exempt from the new 6-person rule

She wrote to Matt Hancock and Gavin Williamson demanding action.

She said: “Without adequate access to testing, parents are being places in an impossible position: forced to choose between their child losing more than a week of education, or potentially returning to school whilst carrying Covid-19.”