LOCKDOWN restrictions must be tightened and parents must be given more support to keep children at home if Covid-19 is to be brought under control, teaching unions warn today.

“Contradictory” government guidance is already pushing up school attendance levels and could undermine the lockdown, according to data released by head teachers’ union NAHT.

Its survey of nearly 5,000 heads reveals that far more children are attending school during the current lockdown, with nearly three-quarters of school leaders reporting that demand for places has “greatly increased” compared with last March.

Some 34 per cent of heads reported that more than a third of pupils were still physically attending school, while one school in 10 had between 40 and 60 per cent attending.

Nearly half of schools were having to prioritise places due to the upsurge in demand, and there was particular concern for special schools and nurseries, where all children might be expected to attend.

Government guidance says that children with at least one parent or carer who is a critical worker can go to school if required. This includes parents who may be working from home.

There is no limit to numbers of these pupils who may attend and schools should not limit attendance of these groups.

But it also says that parents and carers who are critical workers should keep their children at home if they can.

NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said that the government’s “confused message” risked defeating the aim of suppressing the virus.

“It is critical that school places for the children of key workers are only used when absolutely necessary in order to reduce the numbers in school and stem the spread of the virus,” he said.

Teachers’ union NASUWT said that many schools were reporting a majority of parents seeking places for their children, and called on ministers to ensure that families could afford to keep their children at home.

“Many parents who want to keep themselves and their children safe are unable to do so for financial reasons and it is important that they have access to financial support to stay safe,” said general secretary Dr Patrick Roach.

“It is essential that ministers do whatever it takes to ensure that parents can afford to keep their children at home and that children who need to do so are able to access their education safely from home.”