The number of pupils in English state schools was the highest last week since the coronavirus pandemic began, government data shows  – although tens of thousands were still off school self-isolating.

Around 127,000 pupils in England were not in school last Thursday due to potential contact with someone who had tested positive for coronavirus inside the education setting, according to Department for Education statistics (DfE).

Meanwhile, 42,000 per cent were self-isolating due to potential contact with a case elsewhere.

Total attendance in state schools in England was at 91 per cent on 18 March, when the latest available government data is from.

Attendance in the week starting 15 March was the highest reported attendance during the coronavirus pandemic, according to the DfE data.

It had stood at 89 per cent the week before, when all students were allowed back in school after most pupils had been learning online since early January during England’s lockdown.