PAULA Hearle, head teacher at Ludlow School says that she and her staff cannot wait to get students back at their desks.

The return to school starts on Monday and will be phased.

It will be far from ‘business as usual’ and there will initially be teaching in bubbles and a testing programme.

But at least students will be back in the classroom after what it is hoped will be the permanent end of restrictions.

“I am now able to share with you our plans for the phased return of students from March 8, and the mass testing programme,” she said in a letter to parents.

Students will return by year group, according to this schedule: Monday, March 8 - Year 11; Tuesday, March 9 - Year 10; Wednesday, March 10 - Year 9; Thursday, March 11 - Year 8; Friday, March 12 - Year 7.

“By phasing the return of students, schools are able to complete the lateral flow tests,” Ms Hearle added.

“Students will undertake a total of three on-site tests three to five days apart, during the first three weeks of their return to school, and then home testing kits will be supplied to parents and carers to carry out twice-weekly tests at home. “No one can be stopped from attending school if they do not consent to testing.”