Numbers in class are increasing
The number of pupils being taught on-site in England has risen, according to government data.
According to the figures released by the Department for Education, 15 percent of state school pupils were in class on January 28, up from 14 percent the week before.
While many pupils have been told not to go into school and to learn remotely, 850,000 children of key workers were in attendance last week, alongside children of vulnerable families.
Despite the ongoing coronavirus lockdown and the restrictions in place, it has not stopped schools across the region from continuing to support pupils and provide a safe environment for them.
Berrybrook Primary School in Westcroft in Wolverhampton is one of many welcoming pupils unable to work remotely into the school on a daily basis.
Deputy headmaster Alastair Smith said that the school had about 40 pupils each day on average, with many more tuning in at home.
He said: “We’ve had a real mix of pupils coming in from those who have parents who are key workers to those from vulnerable families who we have invited to come in.
“The teachers and staff have worked really hard to get it right for the children in our community and the main thing has been ensuring that the children at home and in school are learning the same.”
Mr Smith said the school had looked at lesson preparation to ensure the pupils at home were not missing out, while also ensuring the pupils at the school were able to learn and stay engaged.
He said: “We’re helping the children as best as we can through ensuring they have the same assignments and are able to provide as much face-to-face teaching time as possible.
“The response has been really good and I know that the staff are happy with the way we are operating and we are working really hard to get the children to keep learning.
“We are getting more and more children in all the time.”
