More than 300 pupils at Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey have missed out on schooling because of a teacher shortage, claims a mum.

The mother, who did not want to be named, said 12 groups of 30 Year 7 pupils had not been to school "for weeks" and were not expected to return until Monday, February 21, after the half-term holiday.

She said: "The children are being home-taught using pre-owned tablets from the school. My son, who is 12, loves school but he is missing his friends and I am really worried at how far he might be falling behind with his education. He is being given three lessons a day but he still gets bored even though I try to entertain him as much as I can."

She added: "I think Year 7s are getting the backlash of the pandemic more than anybody. I'm really surprised at how many teachers can all be off at the same time."

The mum, 42, who has another teenage son at school in Sittingbourne, said: "Sometimes I wish I'd tried to get my 12-year-old into a Sittingbourne school but Oasis is convenient."

All the children affected go to the school's Sheerness campus in Marine Parade.

The school was forced to close Year 7 classes in December when it ran out of teachers. At the time it blamed it on a "small rise in staff absence" but insisted it was not Covid-19 related.

The mum complained parents were not issued with school meal vouchers at that time and added: "Some days we haven't been told the school is closing until 6pm the night before. Working parents are finding it hard to get childcare at such short notice and some are struggling to feed their kids."

Parents received an email from Oasis Principal Andy Booth on Monday confirming lessons would continue online.

He added: "We look forward to welcoming back our year 7 students on Monday, 21st February. Should there be any circumstances to prevent this, we will communicate over the half-term break."

The school has been asked for a comment.

A spokesman previously said last year's closures had been a "difficult decision" but were for the "safety and well-being" of students and staff.