Students across Surrey and East Hampshire will be heading back to classrooms this week
Schools will be reopening from today.
Students across Surrey and East Hampshire will be returning to classrooms this week, for the first time since March.
In Surrey, schools will be reopening from today (1 September), while Hampshire students will be going back from Thursday (3 September).
What will happen if there is an outbreak of coronavirus?
The Department for Education has announced new guidance ahead of the start of the new academic year.
A rota system could be brought in at secondary schools if there is a local lockdown.
Meanwhile entire year groups may have to self-isolate for 14 days if just one pupil in the 'bubble' tests positive for coronavirus.
Face coverings are also being recommended for staff and secondary school pupils in areas of England where there is a high rate of COVID-19.
They should be worn where social distancing is difficult to maintain, such as in corridors and communal area.
Do students have to wear face coverings on school buses?
Face coverings are recommended for students travelling on school buses in Hampshire, however the county council has confirmed there is "no requirement for social distancing on dedicated services.
But, pupils will be asked to sit in year groups where possible and there will be hand sanitiser available.
The council is encouraging people to walk, cycle or scoot to school in a bid to also reduce traffic congestion.
Andrew Wickham, managing director of Go South Coast, and a member of the South Hampshire Bus Operators Association, said:
"Bus operators in Hampshire have extra bus cleaning processes in place, and buses are a safe way of getting to and from school and college.
"The companies have worked very closely with Hampshire County Council and the colleges in the county to ensure there will be space for everyone to travel, on special school services and normal bus routes, with extra buses running this year.
"As is normal at the start of the school year, we will adjust services if needed to cope with any unforeseen problems."
In Surrey, people are urged to "consider all other forms of transport before taking Home to School transport".
If parents decide to take their own children to school, the county council has said families will be able to access petrol reimbursement by contacting passenger.transport@surreycc.gov.uk .
Surrey County Council has advised that face coverings "may be marginally beneficial as a precautionary measure" for those students using Home to School transport, adding they strongly recommend them where possible.
Meanwhile young people who travel to school on public will have to adhere to social distancing measures and those who are aged 11 and over must wear a face covering.
What safety measures will be in place at schools?
Hampshire County Council has said schools in the area are "fully prepared" to have students back, adding they have put in place a range of measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Arrangements will vary from school to school, depending on its size, layout, number of students and ages of children, but will include:
1) Placing children in distinct ‘bubbles’ (groups) to be maintained throughout the school day
2) Operating a one-way system around the school site
3) Staggering the start and end of the school day
4) Staggering break times
5) Building time for frequent handwashing in the daily timetable
6) Additionally, providing hand sanitiser in strategic areas of the building
7) Frequent reminders to 'Catch It, Bin It, Kill It'
8) Additional cleaning of school buildings.
Meanwhile a spokesperson for Surrey County Council said it is "vital" that children can get back to full education, including face-to-face lessons.
They added the council has been "working closely with schools and supporting them" to introduce extra safety measures, including:
1) Social distancing between 'bubbles' of pupils and teachers
2) One-way systems
3) Hand-washing and sanitising
4) Staggered start times.
The council said it will "continue to review guidance and information as it becomes available to ensure that schools remain as safe as possible for children, young people and staff".