High attendance at Cheshire East schools on the first step to recovery

Cheshire East Council has congratulated schools, colleges, children and families for a high attendance rate this week and for supporting the first step on the roadmap to recovery from the latest lockdown.

Primary schools across the borough saw a 98 per cent attendance rate with 80 per cent attendance across all schools compared to an England average of 68 per cent.  Full attendance data from secondary schools will be phased over the first week to allow for the rapid testing of pupils.

Councillor Kathryn Flavell, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for children and families, said: “Getting children and young people back to school has been a top priority nationally and for this council. Our education team has been supporting all schools for some time now, to prepare for this important recovery milestone.

“It’s fantastic news that attendance is high across Cheshire East and I know that many children and young people have been so pleased to see their friends and teachers again.

“The focus for education now, quite rightly, is on wellbeing and catching up on learning. We continue to assist schools in supporting pupils’ mental health and wellbeing, so they are able to help those who are most anxious.  Plans are also being discussed for summer schools and catch up programmes.

“I would like to thank parents, schools, colleges, children and young people for playing their part in tackling this virus and adapting to home learning so well.  I recognise this has been a huge challenge, particularly for working parents and for those who have limited online access.

“Rapid testing of secondary aged pupils is going well, and we have a robust system in place to monitor incident rates in schools and put the right support in place.  We cannot be complacent, and as the safety of staff and pupils is, of course, still a priority, I urge everyone to continue to comply with the latest Covid measures.

“I firmly believe that the best place for our children and young people is in school.  I thank everyone again who has worked so hard to ensure a smooth and well-managed return to school and contributed to the fantastic attendance rates in Cheshire East, helping pupils build confidence, see their friends and achieve success.”

Any parent or carer who is anxious about their child attending school or college, there is support available by contacting covid19schoolplaces@cheshireeast.gov.uk

For more information on attendance rates across England visit the Department for Education website