THE county’s education authorities have hit back at suggestions that there are a number of children in Worcester schools who are not eligible to be there.

Cllr Marcus Hart said although there were more children at school in this lockdown, there were still a significant reduction in the numbers of children attending school.

He said the rise was due, in part, to the government widening the criteria for the keyworker and vulnerable children who are allowed to go to school during the lockdown - scotching rumours which had been circulating that some children attending school should not be there.

Cllr Hart, the county cabinet member for education and skills, said: "Whilst there are more children attending school in this lockdown, this is in part because the criteria has broadened, there is still a significant reduction in the numbers of children attending school than before Christmas.

“Schools across the county are responsible for offering places for vulnerable children and those of critical workers.

"Schools are liaising with families about their individual needs and these places will be planned for and provided on an individual basis using the guidance to assist in decision making.”

He added: “Supporting our children to receive a good quality education has been a top priority of ours throughout the pandemic.

“We are continuing to work closely with our schools regarding all guidance from central government. This includes the updates from government on the list of critical workers (key workers) and vulnerable children and young people who can access full-time education provision during the coronavirus outbreak."

Cllr Hart added he could not comment on any specific reports of pupils and parents bending the rules, but he would work with them to find a solution if it were the case.

New data shows the number of pupils in schools across the country, around one in five primary school pupils in England were taught on-site last week, considerably higher than the number of those physically coming to class during the first national lockdown last spring, figures suggest.

Worcestershire County Councillor Shirley Webb said that 14.8 per cent of the county's school population were in school this week - well above the numbers during the first lockdown and higher than the national attendance figure which is just under 14 per cent.

On-site attendance for primary school pupils during the first lockdown was approximately four per cent, and one per cent in secondary schools, according to the government’s analysis.

But approximately 709,000 children of critical workers were in attendance on January 13 – which represents 72 per cent of all pupils in attendance last week.