COUNCIL bosses have insisted that Clydebank High School pupils are not being forced to eat their lunch outside the school building - after parents claimed their children were not being allowed to remain indoors during their break.

West Dunbartonshire Council said pupils are only being "encouraged" to eat outdoors - as a break from wearing face coverings indoors all day.

One parent, who asked not to be named, said: "I don't think this is fair. It's freezing and what if it rains?

"Does a child not deserve safe and clean environment to eat food? I am pretty sure that if other parents heard what they have done they will be angry about this too.

"We have called the school and told them we are not happy."

Another parent commented about the issue on social media, saying: "It simply just isn't good enough.

"I complained before about doing PE outside in the rain and then expecting them to sit in their next class soaked.

"If they can't go back and have a normal day they shouldn't be open. It's ridiculous."

The restrictions on secondary pupils attending classes in school were relaxed slightly from Monday, with councils deciding how to balance in-school teaching with remote learning. 

Pupils in S4-S6 who are taking national qualifications now have priority for face-to-face lessons in school.

West Dunbartonshire Council says pupils are not being required to sit outside to eat their lunch, but instead encouraged to do so as temperatures rise and spring turns to summer.

A spokesperson said: "Pupils are encouraged to have their breaks outside during spells of good weather at the outside seating provision within the school grounds. 

"Spending time outside allows pupils to remove their face covering which they are required to wear while indoors."