Harrogate secondary school students continue return to classes - but most are only part-time

After months of learning from home during lockdown, Year 10 and 12 students were welcomed back to school on Monday, with more making a return from tomorrow, Thursday.

But social distancing means only a quarter of pupils can be in school at any one time.

And figures from Teacher Tapp - a daily survey app for teachers - show that half of Year 10 pupils nationally will get just one or half a day's teaching per week until schools shut again for the summer break.

Only about 10 per cent were likely to get more than one day a week in school - and about 5 per cent were only getting a day per fortnight.

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Despite the limited attendance numbers, Carl Sugden, headteacher at King James's School in Knaresborough, says the careful return to classrooms is a crucial one for students getting ready for their rescheduled exams.

“We are pleased to be able to take the next careful step in bringing pupils back into school", he said.

"It is important, after such a long period of learning from home, that pupils get some contact from their teachers. Unfortunately we can only offer this to the exam groups in Year 12 and Year 10 at this time.

"We have undertaken a very thorough risk assessment to ensure that school can be as safe as possible and only a quarter of pupils will be in school at any one time".

It comes after the government scrapped plans for primary schools to bring all pupils back for a month before the summer break.

However, a final decision on how many more primary school pupils should return before the holidays is being left up to headteachers.

In guidance sent out to teachers this week, the Department for Education confirmed again that if schools had enough space they had the "flexibility" to bring back more students.

In most schools - primary and secondary - pupils are being taught in small ‘bubbles’ – spending the day with the same, small group of other children and teacher.

Staff changes are being minimised and regular hand-washing is encouraged.

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The government is due to set out the details of summer catch-up plans in the coming days.

Additional challenges such as helping Year 6 pupils make the transition to Year 7 in September are also being looked at.

Stuart Carlton, North Yorkshire County Council’s corporate director for children and young people’s services, said: "Much like our primary schools, teachers are treading new ground in terms of social distancing, hygiene and cleaning measures.

"But everyone truly has pulled together to try to ensure a safe, happy and smooth transition for all pupils involved".

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter