Newark and Sherwood: Everything parents need to know for the return of schools today

It's been a while since youngsters were in the classroom learning in front of a teacher. So, what is it going to be like for them?

In Prime Minister Boris Johnson's announcement of his roadmap to lifting lockdown, he set out plans to re-open schools today (Monday, March 8).

Here's what you're likely to expect.

When will my child return to school?

All primary and secondary school pupils should attend school from today. You should check with your child's school in details of their return.

How often will my child be tested?

Secondary aged youngsters and college students will be offered testing from March 8.

Students will be tested three times in the first two weeks and then will be given two rapid tests to use each week at home.

Young students will also be asked to continue using home testing kits twice a week.

School staff will be required to take twice-weekly tests using home kits.

Those who consent to testing will be allowed to return to face-to-face teaching, following their first negative covid test result.

If your child is a student over the age of 18 and doesn't consent to a test, they will be stopped from going back into the classroom and schooling will be done in line with their school's or college's arrangements.

Will my child have to wear a mask in class?

Secondary schools will implement a range of protective measures, like wearing masks and not shields, to ensure the virus causes less disruption to youngsters' education.

The government said for a limited period young people and staff in higher education, further education and secondary schools, would be asked to wear face coverings indoors, unless two-metre social distancing can be maintained.

Face coverings for staff and adult visitors are also recommended in early years and primary schools when social distancing between adults is not possible. For example, when moving around corridors and communal areas.

Will bubbles and social distancing still be used in schools?

Public Health England has advised schools on the continuation of existing controls, like bubbles and social distancing, but these will also be enhanced by additional precautionary measures.

These included minimising contact with students or staff who are required to self-isolate by ensuring they do not attend school.

Advising everyone to clean their hands thoroughly and more often than usual.

Ensuring good hygiene by promoting the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach and maintaining enhanced cleaning on school and college sites.

School staff must also minimise contact across sites and and maintain social distancing where possible, including creating bubbles and asking pupils and staff to avoiding public transport.

Staff and pupils must also continue to wear PPE where necessary and sites like classrooms have to be kept well ventilated, so it may be an idea to send your child in with extra layers to keep warm as windows in classrooms will probably be open during lessons.

Has my child's teacher been vaccinated yet?

Some teachers who fall into the first four priority categories for the covid jab will have been given the vaccine already, but those who were not will have to wait in line for their age group to be called up during the national roll-out.

The government is sticking to prioritising people by age and not their occupation to avoid slowing down the jab rollout.

People aged 40 to 49 will be the next in line to get a vaccine after all vulnerable groups and the over-50s are covered.

Will after school activities and sports be allowed?

Clubs for children in school buildings, both before and after normal school hours, will also be permitted to start from Monday.

Other school activities like sports can also resume.