SHROPSHIRE'S teachers are preparing to welcome pupils back to classrooms en masse on Monday (March 8) – as estimates show four in five were learning remotely before the half term break.

The return of all students for face-to-face learning for the first time in 2021 is the initial step in Prime Minister Boris Johnson's proposed roadmap out of lockdown for England.

Department for Education figures reveal just 20 per cent of pupils were being taught on site at schools in Shropshire, in the latest snapshot assessment of attendance taken on February 11.

However, that was up from the 18 per cent who were estimated to be in the area's schools a month earlier.

The attendance rate at primary schools was higher, at 30 per cent, compared to seven per cent in secondary schools.

The latest figures are based on responses to a survey from 88 per cent of Shropshire's state-funded schools.

Pupils in schools and colleges in England, except children of key workers and vulnerable pupils, have been learning remotely since the start of the lockdown.

Around 16 per cent of students across the country attended school in the week before half term, but this rose to 18 per cent last week following Mr Johnson's roadmap announcement.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the number of children being educated on site has been 'much higher' than during the first lockdown at many schools.

"It has been extremely unhelpful that the Government has at no point clarified whether there is a safe limit," he added.

"Schools are now focused on the task of reopening to all pupils from March 8. They are very much looking forward to welcoming back all children.

"However, this has been made more challenging for secondary schools by the lack of clear direction from the Government over the use of face coverings in classrooms, as well as the huge logistical exercise of running Covid testing stations."

The data from the February 11 assessment also shows the availability of education staff.

In Shropshire, only five per cent of teachers and school leaders were unable to teach on site or remotely on February 11. Just a fraction were off for Covid-related reasons.