COUNCIL bosses have announced how they plan to get children back to school safely as lockdown is eased.

Essex County Council says the return will take place on a “gradual, phased and small-scale basis”, providing flexibility in schools in terms of class size and staffing.

Teams across the council have been working on the proposals with schools and early years settings, as well as the Department for Education, Ofsted and unions.

Thorough health and safety risk assessments will be undertaken at every school, contact will be minimised through smaller class sizes and mixing between groups will be reduced through timetable changes.

County Hall education boss Ray Gooding said: “I understand how uncertain this time is for parents and carers, and following the Government’s announcement about reopening of education and childcare settings, parents will still have a lot of questions and concerns.

“I want to reassure parents, carers and communities our primary concern is the safety of all children, their families and staff.

“The support and guidance we are giving to all settings puts safety at the forefront.

“Reopening is a complicated exercise and we are helping settings to come up with their own solutions.

“This means that settings will have their own approaches which work best for them, their children and their local communities.

“We are clear each setting’s health and safety risk assessment should drive their decision-making.

“This will mean not all settings will be able to offer a full-time service initially.

“Some may re-open later in June. Things will be gradual, phased, and small-scale to begin with, and potentially until the end of term.

“Schools, colleges and early years settings will be contacting parents and carers with details of their arrangements in the coming weeks.

“Parents and carers should speak to their school following this if they have further questions or concerns.

“Finally, I want to pay tribute to the fantastic and tireless work of all education and childcare staff over the last few months, preparing for closure, supporting children with home learning, keeping settings open for those that needed it most, and now, working towards re-opening.

“The dedication and commitment they have shown during this time is inspiring and my thanks goes to each and every one of them.”

Last week, the Government announced it may soon be feasible for early years children to return to settings and for children in reception, Year 1 and Year 6 to return to schools in smaller group sizes from June 1.

Secondary school pupils in Years 10 and 12 due to be taking exams next year could receive some face-to-face contact with teachers, and special schools may gradually increase the number of children and young people on site, from the same date.

Any return for children and young people to schools depends on the five key tests set by the Government justifying the changes at the time.

This includes the rate of infection continuing to decrease.