School staff absences doubled last term when compared with pre-Covid 2019, driven by a surge in flu and other winter illnesses, figures show.
The rise has prompted education unions to call for the government to cover the cost of supply staff and improve ventilation in school buildings.
Data shared by Arbor Education, a management information system used by 3,587 schools across the UK, shows that between the autumn terms in 2019 and 2022, sickness absences rose by 110 per cent.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned of “high levels” of flu and Covid that are likely to continue in the coming weeks, alongside high numbers suffering from scarlet fever.
