35 Hertfordshire schools sent home pupils in first two weeks of autumn term

More than 1,000 pupils were sent home in the first two weeks of the autumn term as 35 schools in Hertfordshire had to partially or fully close as a result of Covid-19.

New data shows that one in every 11 secondary schools in the county had had to send at least some pupils home by September 16.

And 2.5 per cent of primary schools had had to partially or totally close, due to Covid too.

Education officials at the county council have previously refused to identify the number or names of schools affected by the virus, pointing to “confidentiality” and the “risk of personal data being disclosed”.

But the data is included in a report for a meeting of the council’s resources and performance cabinet panel, on Thursday, October 1.

It also suggests that – although the data indicates that 35 schools that had been affected – the council does NOT KNOW how many students have been affected.

That’s because they are relying on data collected by the government’s ‘daily attendance monitoring schedule’.

And, says the report to the cabinet panel, only around 60 per cent of schools in the county are currently completing the government’s ‘daily attendance monitoring schedule’.

In those schools, the data shows the number of pupils self isolating has topped 1,100.

But the council, according to the report, does not have data on the remaining 40 per cent of schools.

The report to the cabinet panel states: “As of 16th September some 35 schools in Hertfordshire were affected by a Covid-19 infection, amongst either staff or pupils. This is in line with the national picture.

“The number of pupils isolating at this time is not known, as about 40 per cent of schools nationally and in Hertfordshire are not currently completing the DfE’s daily attendance monitoring schedule (it is not mandatory).

“However, for the 60 per cent of schools that are reporting daily the number of pupils self-isolating is about 1,100.

“Numbers of schools and pupils affected changes day to day, as does the extent to which any particular school is closed.”

The data also details for the first time the attendance levels at the county’s schools since the start of term.

Last autumn, school attendance averaged 95.6 per cent. But the latest data – up to September 16 – shows attendance rates that are significantly lower.

The report says that by the second week of term around 87 per cent of children were in primary school. And in secondary schools that figure was 90.

However the data shows that on some days one in every seven pupils were absent from school.

Before the publication of this report, the Local Democracy Reporter Service has repeatedly requested information on attendance data – particularly the number and names of those schools partially or fully closed by Covid-19.

Those requests have been repeatedly refused.

Even on Friday – after the publication of the cabinet panel report – a spokesperson for Hertfordshire County Council said: “Hertfordshire County Council (including Education and Public Health) and Public Health England must maintain confidentiality.

“To provide any further breakdown of information about schools and the number of people affected by coronavirus in a school community could lead to a significant risk of personal data being disclosed, which would be unlawful.

“The education and wellbeing of children and young people remains a priority and we will continue to work with schools to support them and the families that are affected by coronavirus.”

Read: New Covid guidance for Hertfordshire schools to reduce children sent home to self-isolate