PUPILS at North Berwick High School were ordered to keep off its artificial sports pitch during breaks amid fears large groups were congregating there.

The school’s popular astroturf pitch – used primarily for hockey but also other activities – proved too big a draw for youngsters as classes returned full-time and it was closed to students at breaks and lunchtime.

Parents urged the school to reconsider the decision after youngsters came home claiming they had been told the risk of them touching goal posts – and potentially creating a higher risk of spreading Covid-19 – was too great.

And the school said that it would introduce a system which would allow children access to the pitch one day a week on a year by year basis.

As classes returned in full last Monday, it is understood staff became concerned at the number of students gathering together on the astroturf pitch from different years.

However, the decision to ban children from the pitch left some parents bemused.

One mum took to social media, saying: “Surely the kids can touch door frames and bins and walls in all the other outdoor areas – why are the goal posts so scary?”

Another added: “I understand they are under pressure and trying to keep kids and adults safe but surely this isn’t necessary?”

One mum received a reply from the school’s PE department pledging to look into a way more supervision could be given to the pitch to allow youngsters to use it in a “safe and sensible manner”.

Each year group has now been allowed to use the astroturf one day a week.

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “The astroturf is a popular facility at North Berwick High School.

“In line with official guidance, the school is discouraging large groups from congregating and the space was being used by a number of different year groups at the same time.

“It was closed to young people for two days to allow the staff team to put in place a schedule that will allow each year group to use it one day a week with staff supervision and cleaning in place.

“This is especially important as it is also used for PE. North Berwick High School, like all our schools, is working hard to understand and apply guidance on the return to our buildings.

“Where we can identify better ways of working we are doing so. This is one example.”