Southend headteacher warns school will not return in full until April as covid testing rolls out

Dr Paul Hayman, headteacher of Westcliff High School for Girls, said the school does not expect all pupils to return until April 12, the start of next term.

Dr Hayman said the disruption will be caused as they provide Covid tests for pupils.

• READ MORE: Everything we know about schools' opening in Essex

In a letter to parents, Dr Hayman said: "During this period, there will be significant disruption to the education provided as we need to ensure Covid tests are undertaken.

"Where year groups are not planned to be in school, remote learning will be provided.

"Pupils who are self-isolating will be provided with work after a lesson has taken place."

He added: “It is our expectation that all pupils will be in school from April 12 (start of next term).”

Dr Hayman also outlined the steps the school was taking to facilitate Covid-19 tests.

After completing their Covid tests, pupils will go to a marquee and wait for the result.

If the result is negative, they will return to the classroom.

Southend High for Boys appear to have a similar approach with some student in school for timetabled lessons whilst others continue lessons at home.

On some days, students will attend school for testing but then return home.

• READ MORE: Campaign to stop Covid-rule breaking at the school gates

What is happening nationally?

The Department for Education confirmed that schools and colleges have discretion on how to stagger the return of their students over the next week to facilitate testing and their safe return to the classroom.

How will testing work?

Staff and students at secondary schools and college will be offered two tests a week.

Whole families of these children will also be able to test themselves twice a week from home.

In the first two weeks of schools reopening, there will be three tests at school and one at home.

Thereafter, pupils and staff will be given rapid lateral flow tests to take twice a week at home.

What does the schedule look like?

Dr Hayman confirmed that pupils will return to Westcliff High School for Girls as follows:

Year 13 – In school March 8th – March 12th, then March 22nd – March 26th

Year 12 – In school March 8th – March 12th, then March 22nd – March 26th

Year 11 – In school March 8th – March 12th, then March 15th – March 19th

Year 10 – In school March 10th – March 12th, then March 15th – March 19th

Year 9 – In school March 15th – March 19th, then March 22nd – March 26th

Year 8 – In school March 15th – March 19th, then March 22nd – March 26th

Year 7 – In school March 16th – March 19th, then March 22nd – March 26th

The news comes as Labour councillor Matt Dent called for a phased approach to schools reopening.

Staggered approach - Matt Dent

Mr Dent hit back and called for schools to re-open “year group by year group”.

He said: “I do not understand why all children need to go back at once. Surely an approach staggered year group by year group, would allow a more cautious approach and close monitoring of the effect on children and on the spread of the virus."