A Loughton primary school has implemented a host of measures to help keep pupils and staff safe when they return following the coronavirus lockdown.

Hereward Primary School will reopen on June 2 with Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 pupils to be followed by other years when deemed safe.

Each class will be returning for two days a week with the school open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday – on Wednesdays the school will close for deep cleaning.

Parents and carers are being allocated staggered drop-off and collection times and as children enter the building, they will be asked to sanitise their hands.

Class sizes have been reduced to 15 children who will have their own desk, spaced two metres apart.

Each class will have their own set of stationery which will be sanitised throughout the day.

All soft furnishings such as pillows and soft toys will be removed from and classrooms will be cleaned while the children are at play and lunch.

During break times, groups will be kept separate with their own designated ‘break time’ areas.

At lunchtime, children will wash their hands before eating their lunch at their classroom desk.

Acting headteacher Renette Fourie said putting the measures in place had been "an incredibly challenging task".

She added: "Extensive plans are in place for keeping the children, their families and staff safe as much as possible in these exceptional circumstances."

The school has said there will not be any fines issued due to non-attendance.

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