LESS than half of primary schools in Essex were open to all the children allowed to return under Government guidelines.

New figures released by Essex County Council show how many children returned to school in reception and Years 1 and 6.

Data for June 9 from the Department for Education suggests 78 per cent of primary and special schools were open to at least one of the year groups.

However, only 42 per cent of primary and special schools were open to all three year groups in some form.

Five per cent of schools remained open only to vulnerable pupils and the children of critical workers.

And the figures revealed only about one quarter of all pupils in reception, Year 1 and Year 6 attended schools.

About 20,000 pupils attended primary and special schools, up from approximately 4,400 across primary and secondary schools before half-term.

Early years groups such as day nurseries, pre-schools and childminders were permitted to open more widely for non-keyworker children from the beginning of the month.

However, data for June 11 showed only 30 per cent of all registered early years groups in Essex were open, with 4,081 children in attendance.

County Hall education boss Ray Gooding said it was a phased opening and added: “I’m pleased to see the fantastic response of schools and early years settings in Essex to wider opening now being possible.

“This is in no small part thanks to the enormous effort of education and childcare staff across the county. Preparations for wider opening have been taking place for months, and the logistical issues settings have had to take into consideration are numerous.

"I can only thank staff once again for their dedication and commitment to the children and young people of Essex.

“While I recognise not all schools and early years settings have been able to respond to wider opening immediately, we must take into account the restrictions settings are operating within.

“We’ve been clear that the health and safety of children, families and staff must be the priority in plans for wider opening. With smaller group sizes and protective bubbles, space in buildings is at a premium, and teaching staff in schools are splitting their time between those attending and those still learning from home.

“We continue to work with early years settings to support more to open, including working closely with our district and borough council colleagues to help the sector access Covid-19 financial support packages.

"We are assisting those schools who have not yet been able to respond to wider opening with their plans.

"I’m hopeful that we’ll continue to see an increase in opening and attendance figures in the coming weeks.”

Year 10 and 12 students were due to return to secondary schools from this week.