Education

Thousands of children across Norfolk and Waveney return to school on Monday. For the majority, it will be the first time they have been in class for six months. SIMON PARKIN reports on what schools are doing to help get pupils’ education back on track...

School children across Norfolk are returning to classrooms next week after a six-month hiatus as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Families are facing back to school uncertainty after being warned they may miss out on places on a school bus scheme.

Extra ‘child only’ bus services are set to be introduced and commuters urged to avoid school rush-hour in order to give priority to pupils when Norfolk schools reopen next week.

First-day of the new school term is likely to be like no other this year, with nerves for both parents and children.

Almost half of parents remained concerned about sending children back to school for the start of the new term, an EDP survey has found.

School fields are being turned into thriving allotments to be tended by pupils, with produce used in lessons and handed out in the local community.

Parents anxious about sending their child back to school in September have been urged to discuss their concerns with headteachers amid calls for fines for absences to be scrapped.

Schools that relaxed strict uniform requirements amid the coronavirus lockdown will expect pupils back in blazers and ties from September, as suppliers see the usual pre-term rush.