Latest figures show the proportion of pupils attending school rose to 18.3 per cent last week, compared to 15.9 per cent the week before half term

The DfE stats, published today, estimate that 41 per cent of teachers and school leaders were working on site in open state-funded schools last week compared with 38 per cent before the break.

Around 55 per cent of primary teachers were attending school last week, compared with 24 per cent of secondary school teachers.

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The figures also show that attendance in state-funded schools was highest in the South West and Yorkshire and Humber throughout the first half of the spring term. Attendance in state-funded schools was lowest in London and the East of England.

For example, the figures show that, on 11 February, attendance in state-funded primary schools in Kent was 13 per cent compared with 30 per cent in Northumberland.   

Geoff Barton, Association of School and College Leaders’ general secretary, said: “Huge credit should go to schools for continuing to run face-to-face education for many children of key workers and vulnerable children during the lockdown, while also providing remote education to all other children.

“The number of children on site has been much higher in many schools than in the first lockdown, and it has been extremely unhelpful that the government has at no point clarified whether there is a safe limit.”