Children will remember the Covid pandemic “almost like evacuees of the Second World War”, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders has said.

Geoff Barton said pupils living through the pandemic will be able to see what they achieved as part of the “Covid generation”.

Recently the Government announced face masks should be worn in classrooms in secondary schools, as an attempt for some stability in children's education goes on in the country.

Mr Barton, speaking to the PA News Agency, said: “Masks are one way that we can get more young people in school and remind ourselves that young people are playing a really important role in protecting each other and protecting their teachers.

Bury Times: Face masks are required to be worn in secondary schools now (PA)Face masks are required to be worn in secondary schools now (PA)

“It’s almost like those evacuees of the Second World War thinking, ‘Look what we did, look what we achieved but what we learned through that. We were part of this Covid generation’.

“I think all credit to those young people, and all the staff in school.”

Are schools being affected by staff absences?

Another impact on children's education that is coming to light is staff absences through Covid, which saw Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi call on retired teachers to return to schools to help out.

Mr Barton told BBC Breakfast there is already a “mixed picture” of how coronavirus is affecting staff absences in schools so far this term.

He said: “Not all schools and colleges are open yet and won’t be until Monday so we’re not going to get a proper picture of staff absence until next week.

“There’s a snatched snapshot taken from a small number of primary schools earlier in the week that suggested there might be around 10% of the staff absent. The Government itself is planning potentially for 25% of staff.”