Hundreds of schoolchildren aged over five 'wearing nappies in class' #CarryGobySeanKellz #FutureGroupNG via @i_amreginaldjr

NAPPIES are still being worn by hundreds of schoolchildren aged over five in classes across the country, it emerged today.

Hundreds of schoolchildren aged over five are still using nappies in class[GETTY]

Almost one in 10 head teachers and senior staff said a child aged between five and seven at their school had used a nappy in the past year.

New research also found pupils as old as 15, who had no medical condition or development issues, were unable to use the toilet on their own.

If the study is representative of schools across England it would mean up to 1,600 schools had at least one pupil aged over five still wearing a nappy.

Up to 1,600 pupils aged over five could still be wearing a nappy across the country [GETTY]

We're seeing more and more children wearing nappies

Deputy head teacher Anne-Marie Middleton

The survey was conducted by the National Foundation for Educational Research on behalf of Sky News and it is believed to be the first of its kind.

Anne-Marie Middleton, a deputy head teacher in Devon, said many pupils are too embarrassed to admit that they still wear nappies.

Speaking to Sky News, she said: "We're seeing more and more children wearing nappies. We find that more and more children have an issue with toilet [training] further up the school."

She added the busy lives of parents was invariably the cause of the problems and some British schoolchildren were also unable to use a knife and fork.

The survey consulted 602 primary school and 561 secondary school teachers.

Some youngsters aged around 15 reportedly cannot use the toilet alone [GETTY]

Janet Marsh runs a programme for Kent Community Health NHS Trust to help toilet train school children.

She said she knew of 14 and 15-year-old pupils who did not have medical issues but had problems with going to the toilet.

Speaking to Sky News, she said: "It's an incredibly serious situation.

"There are children who miss 25 per cent of their education in Reception [ages four and five] because they're being taken out to be changed. How are they going to catch up?"