COMPLEX arrangements to reopen schools and test secondary pupils for Covid-19 are being put in place across the area.

Secondary schools have warned it will be impossible to get all pupils back in the classroom on Monday March 8 if coronavirus tests are to be carried out.

They are also considering ways to help pupils catch up on missed lessons and waiting to hear how GCSE and A level grades will be awarded this summer.

At Bournemouth Schools for Girls, head teacher Alistair Brien has announced a phased return.

He has also appealed for more volunteers to help to carry out the tests.

He said: “Whilst March 8 has been much talked about as the day pupils will return to school this is not practically feasible. Pupils who take a test (and it remains voluntary) must have their first negative test result before returning to normal lessons.

“The sheer logistics of offering all pupils not one, but three tests will be a challenge - but one I know we will rise to. It will necessitate a phased return to school while year groups receive their first tests. We anticipate that based on our experience to date we will be able to test two year groups in a day. The entire testing programme will take two weeks to complete.”

He asked parents and former pupils to volunteer to help deliver the tests if possible.

Students in Years 11 and 13 will be the first to return, followed by Years 10 and 12, Years 7 and 8 and finally Year 9.

At Twynham School in Christchurch, head teacher Jy Taylor told parents: “As you will appreciate, a significant amount more guidance has been released to schools to ensure that we can return all students as safely as possible.

“The guidance includes the expectation that children will be tested for Covid before they return to school. In order to enable this process to take place the government have agreed that schools can stagger the return of students over the week of March 8.

“We are currently planning how we will implement the various measures and ensure that students can return as quickly as possible. In the meantime, please ensure that your children continue to engage with all of the remote lessons and continue to work as hard as they can.”

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said he has not ruled out lengthening school days.

Ministers have announced an extra £400 million of funding and asked secondaries to deliver some summer teaching to counteract the months of classroom closures.