School pupils across England including Hitchin have started to return to classes from today, Monday (March 8)

Strenuous efforts are being undertaken to keep Covid out of the classroom through rapid testing programmes.

Children returning to their classrooms have marked the start of Step One of the government's four phase plan to lift the coronavirus lockdown, with mass testing of secondary school and college students is set to take place.

The Priory School on Bedford Road will be offering three Covid tests to pupils during the first two weeks of their return to school.

In a letter to parents seen by Hitchin Nub News, Priory head teacher Geraint Edwards - who has won significant praise durning the pandemic for his professionalism and willingness to share relevant information during the Covid crisis - issued a note of caution.

He said: "Although the rate of Covid infection is coming down, there are still cases in the community. I still expect us to have positive cases at some point, which will result in close contacts having to isolate for 10 days."

The Priory has in place a dedicated team of 14 school staff who have been delivering lateral flow tests to colleagues and key worker students over the last six weeks.

The Priory is expecting all students to be back in school by Wednesday. Today, Monday (March 8) only the 6th Form and Year 11 are in school. On Tuesday, (March 9) all year groups will be in apart from Year 8 and Year 10.

Secondary pupils have been asked to wear masks in classrooms, as well as while moving around their schools, but they are not compulsory.

Across town at Grammar School Walk, from today, attendance is mandatory on-site for all students at Hitchin Boys' School once their form has been called in, according to their phased return timetable.

Staff at Hitchin Boys' School Staff begun self-testing from this weekend and students will move to home testing after three tests delivered in school, 3-5 days apart. Students will undertake the subsequent tests during normal school time.

In a letter to parents seen by Hitchin Nub News, HBS say that previous measures that were in place in the autumn term will be place: hand sanitising, desk and surface cleaning between lessons, year group bubbles, designated outdoor areas, ventilated rooms, lunch rota, one-way system and staggered end to the school day.

The school also explain that they have had their system of controls checked by Public Health Hertfordshire in December with all recommendations implemented.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "The reopening of schools marks a truly national effort to beat this virus.

"It is because of the determination of every person in this country that we can start moving closer to a sense of normality – and it is right that getting our young people back into the classroom is the first step."

Wraparound childcare - that's care provided by schools outside of normal school hours - and other supervised children's activities can resume where they enable parents to work, seek work, attend education, seek medical care or attend a support group.

Vulnerable children can attend these settings regardless of circumstance.

U18 sport can take place at school as part of educational provision, or as part of wraparound care, but should not otherwise take place at this time.

Care home residents will be allowed one regular visitor provided they are tested and wear PPE.

One named person will be able to enter the care home, where they will be allowed to hold hands with a relative.