MANY children have missed out on their last week of school for the year as figures reveal more than 2,700 pupils are currently self-isolating.

New figures from Southend council have shown 2,703 pupils are self-isolating across all settings, from early years to university.

It comes as school pupils get ready to break up for the summer holidays which start next week.

Some schools have been forced to move whole year groups to remote learning in a bid to reduce the further spread of Covid.

The Billericay School moved all Year 7 and Year 9 students to remote learning for the last two days of term after a rise in confirmed Covid cases.

In a letter to parents, the school said: "We have experienced an increase in confirmed Covid related cases this week in years 7 and 9.

"Following consultation with Public Health England, we have taken the decision to move to remote learning for the remainder of this week for these two year groups.

"Individual students that have been in close contact have been informed via a separate letter.

"We have not taken this decision lightly and are doing this to reduce the further spread of COVID19 to others in the school and wider community."