West Midlands schools: Fewer than a quarter of pupils in some age groups have returned

Fewer than a quarter of pupils in some year groups have returned to school despite being able to amid coronavirus.

Figures revealed by the Express & Star today show the huge disparity of students attending – down to as little as four per cent.

It comes after concerns by parents over the spread of coronavirus – and whether it was worthwhile sending their child back temporarily.

Pupils studying for their A Levels in Year 12 hit highs of almost four-fifths (78.5pc) in Sandwell – but it dropped to less than one in 10 in Walsall (7.5pc).

Nursery pupils attended hit a low across the Black Country in Sandwell at four per cent, the figures revealed.

More than a quarter (26pc) returned to school in Wolverhampton and nearly a fifth (17pc) of pupils returned in Dudley.

No figures were available for nursery schoolchildren returning in Staffordshire or the Walsall borough.

More than half of pupils in the reception year group returned in Staffordshire (50.3pc) – with the lowest being a fifth (20pc) in Sandwell.

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Figures for Wolverhampton show the figure almost reach two-fifths (39 per cent), with Walsall seeing more than a quarter (28.4 per cent) return.

It hit 22 per cent in the Dudley borough, with figures from 76 out of 107 council-maintained and academy schools.

More than half of Year 1 students returned in Staffordshire (50.7pc), but only one-fifth (20 per cent) returned in Sandwell.

Other areas saw almost two-fifths return (37pc) in Wolverhampton, a quarter return in Dudley (25pc) and nearly a third in Walsall. (28.2pc)

More than half of Year 6 students returned in Staffordshire (50.8pc), with more than one-fifth of pupils heading back in Sandwell. (21pc)

Other areas saw more than two-fifths (43pc) return in Wolverhampton, almost two-fifths (38pc) in Dudley and almost a third in Walsall. (30.5pc)

Almost half of Year 10 students – who are studying for their GCSEs – returned in Sandwell (49.5pc), but fewer than one in 10 returned in Walsall. (8.2pc)

Other areas saw above two-fifths return in Staffordshire (43.6pc), just over a third (34pc) in Wolverhampton and a total of 15 per cent in Dudley.

Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre, cabinet member for education and skills at Wolverhampton Council, said: "We always hoped and believed that this would be a slow rise towards full attendance, given the fears – the legitimate fears – of parents. It's not a surprise this has not gone to 100 per cent immediately.

"I believe our schools are absolutely safe for children in the designated year groups and the children of key workers.

"And I'm pleased to see the percentage of parents and carers in Wolverhampton have decided to send their children back into school.

"These figures have risen day-on-day since we started to ease lockdown. It's a tribute to the hard work our education department and schools that have been able to do this.

"There has been full co-operation with our health and safety officers and with the council – and it's very cheering to see our schools have been able to safely welcome back so many children."