New Scottish government figures show that 7 per cent of pupils continued to attend state schools on Monday - the same attendance rate as was recorded on Monday of last week, the first day of online learning after the Christmas holidays.
The new figures published today by the Scottish government show that attendance on Monday 18 January in state schools was estimated at around 7 per cent of pupils, with 10 per cent of pupils in primary schools, 3 per cent of pupils in secondary schools and 14 per cent of pupils in special schools.
On Monday 11 January, an overall attendance rate of 7 per cent was recorded.
Background: 7% of pupils still in schools after lockdown started
Previous figures: 1 per cent of pupils take up a childcare place
English figures: School attendance 5 times higher than first lockdown
Schools have closed to the majority of pupils with lessons moving online after the Christmas holidays - an arrangement that first minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed yesterday would last until at least mid-February. However, vulnerable children and the children of key workers can still attend.
During the previous lockdown, attendance was reported as being around 1 per cent. When Ms Sturgeon revealed the figure, she admitted she had been “deeply worried” it would be higher, given the implications for staff and pupil safety.
However, the children’s commissioner Bruce Adamson said he was concerned attendance was so low and children’s organisations said they were worried that vulnerable children not being cared for in hubs could be at risk.
Figures released yesterday in England showed that attendance on 13 January in schools south of the border was 21 per cent in state-funded primary schools, 5 per cent in state-funded secondary schools and 30 per cent in state-funded special schools.
This is higher than March to May 2020, when on-site attendance in England was approximately 4 per cent in state-funded primaries, 1 per cent in state-funded secondaries and 8 per cent in state-funded special schools in May 2020.
