Nearly nine in 10 pupils were in attendance at state-funded schools last Thursday, the latest figures reveal.

The Department for Education statistics show that 88 per cent of pupils on roll in state schools were in attendance on this date, and that attendance was higher for schools that were fully open.

“We estimate 90 per cent of all pupils on roll in fully open state-funded schools were in attendance on 10 September,” a statement from the DfE said.

The DfE also estimates that 92 per cent of state schools were fully open on this date, while 99.9 per cent were open.

Only 1 per cent of schools ‘closed due to coronavirus’

For most schools that reported they were not fully open, this was not due to Covid-19-related reasons, the DfE document says. Only 1 per cent said they were not fully open due to suspected or confirmed cases of Covid-19.

In early years settings, attendance figures were much lower, with 37 per cent of children who usually attend childcare in attendance on this date.

The DfE said it expected the figures for early years to settle in a few weeks’ time, as some early years providers had started the term with Inset days.

Just 18,000 children aged up to 4 classed as vulnerable were in early years settings, representing 21 per cent of children in this age group classified as “children in need” or who have an education, health and care plan.