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.