NORTHUMBERLAND County Council has revealed when children will return to school after the Christmas holidays.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson announced changes to the planned return of pupils following the rapid increase of coronavirus cases across the UK - particularly of the new strain of the virus.

All first and primary school children will return next week, while secondary and high school pupils in exam years (11 and 13) will be offered remote learning.

Children of key workers and vulnerable children in all school years will be able to return to school from Monday.

The current situation for Northumberland schools can be summarised as follows:

Monday 4 January:

First / primary school children will go back to school (unless already advised teacher training day).

*Middle school years 5 & 6 will go back to school (unless already advised teacher training day).

Secondary / high school / post 16 settings: years 11 & 13 only (exam years) – remote learning will be offered.

Children with an EHCP or any child classed as vulnerable in any year should attend school from 4 January.

Children of key workers in any year can also attend from this date.

Monday 11 January:

Secondary / high school / post 16 settings: years 11 & 13 (exam years) will return to school.

Remote education being provided for all other years 7,8,9,10,12

Monday 18 January:

*Middle / secondary / high school / post 16 settings: years 7, 8, 9, 10 & 12 will return to school.

Colleges, including all post 16 settings return.

Cath McEvoy-Carr, Executive Director for Adult and Children's Services at Northumberland County Council said: “We will continue to provide strong support to our schools as they put arrangements in place for this phased return to school.

“The health, wellbeing and safety of Northumberland’s students, teaching and support staff remains our priority, and we continue to be guided by government on the best courses of action during each period.”

The council has also advised parents and carers to information received directly from schools. Final clarification from the Government about middle schools is being sought.