SCHOOL attendance levels in Cheshire East are "significantly" higher than national averages as parents and pupils appear to have heeded the message to get back to the classroom.

Cheshire East Council says it wants to thank pupils, parents and staff for their efforts as statistics show the borough is performing better than other areas of England with attendance levels following the long Covid-19 lockdown.

Early figures from the Department for Education show that, of the 113 Cheshire East schools that submitted a data return yesterday (Thursday, September 3) 100 were fully open.

That is an open rate of 88.5 per cent compared with the national average of 71.5 per cent for that day.

Attendance at these schools was 79.5 per cent, with the national average being 62.5 per cent. Where schools were fully open, the attendance rate was more than 92.9 per cent.

Cllr Kathryn Flavell, Cabinet member for children and families, said: "I would like to thank pupils, parents, teachers and the many other staff who have made such a positive start going back to school.

"It is early days yet, but initial indications are that the preparations that our schools have made, supported by the council, have put us in the best possible position to welcome children back and to continue their essential classroom-based education."

Cheshire East says while it has offered support to provide remote learning during the lockdown, the authority's education chiefs believe the school environment is the best place for pupils to be in, provided safety can be guaranteed.

Cllr Flavell added: "While tremendous efforts were made during lockdown to provide remote learning opportunities for many this was no replacement for classroom working.

"We know that the lockdown and return to school has been a difficult and anxious time for some and we are offering a range of support to those who need help.

"We continue to work hard with our schools, colleges, early years and transport providers to make these first few days back into school as easy, safe and happy as possible for all Cheshire East pupils."

Information about school transport can be found at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/schooltransport