Attendance at Hertfordshire's secondary schools has dropped since the start of the autumn term, as cases of Covid have increased amongst staff and pupils.

According to the latest data, attendance levels decreased during the first six weeks of the autumn term.

On average, one in 10 pupils are absent from secondary schools across the county.

The data was included in a report on the county council's ongoing response to Covid that was presented to a meeting of the council's adult care and health cabinet panel earlier this week.

"Over the course of the month the increase in the number of cases of Covid in the county has been felt in schools," says the report.

"This has included growing numbers of both pupils and staff."

The report – written in mid-October – records 90 per cent attendance in secondary schools and 95 per cent in primary schools.

That's lower than the average attendance during the autumn term last year, which was said to be 95.6 per cent.

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The report says this is due, in part, to the numbers of children self-isolating.

"Over the six weeks since the start of the autumn term the proportion of children attending secondary schools has dropped," says the report.

"This is partly as a result of the numbers self-isolating as a result of contact with a Covid case either at school or in a community setting.

"Some 3.5 per cent of secondary-aged pupils are affected in this way."