One MILLION pupils out of English schools at end of term amid pingdemic chaos

A MILLION school pupils were at home at the end of term as pingdemic chaos swept through England, new figures show.

Kids forced into isolation at home as a result of being told they were in contact with a Covid case saw mounting anger among parents.

Many pulled their kids out of school early to avoid having to cancel their summer holidays as pupils were forced to isolate for 10 days.

The pingdemic has forced the Government exempt more key workers from isolating, amid fears rubbish could pile high the streets and supermarkets run out of food.

Department for Education statistics show 1.13 million children in England were out of school for Covid related reasons on Friday, July 16 – a record high since all students returned in March.

The figures include a staggering 994,000 children self-isolating due to a possible contact with a Covid case.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said the figures show “very starkly” it was an “extremely challenging end to an extremely challenging year”.

He called on the Government to minimise disruption when the term starts and to bring in an “ambitious and better funded recovery plan to address the learning loss”.

"The plans it has announced so far are a long way short of what is needed by children and young people,” he said.

A further 48,000 pupils had confirmed case of coronavirus, and 33,300 with a suspected case, while 50,700 pupils were off as a result of school closures due to Covid-related reasons.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has announced that the use of "bubbles" in schools in England will come to an end as the country eases lockdown restrictions.

From August 16, children in England will only need to self-isolate if they have tested positive.

A recent study found daily testing of pupils who have been in contact with someone with Covid rather than isolating whole groups, may be just as effective in controlling transmission in secondary schools.

Researchers at the University of Oxford estimated that daily testing in schools can reduce coronavirus-related school absences by 39 per cent.