TESTING at home to prevent the spread of coronavirus is being encouraged now that all secondary pupils have returned to school full-time.

Fife Council’s education chief wrote to parents and carers ahead of the Easter break about the return to school today.

Carrie Lindsay, executive director of education and children’s services, reminded families what their child should expect now that term is underway again.

All primary school pupils have been in the classroom since March 15, prior to breaking up for the two weeks of Easter holidays. 

All secondary school pupils will have had some time in the class during the same period, with home learning also taking place.

Ms Lindsay said: “For children in nurseries and primary schools, the school day will continue as it has done for the past few weeks. The restrictions we currently have in place will remain, where children continue to learn in bubbles where possible and breaks and lunchtimes are slightly different.

“I’d like to ask you to continue to take care when you drop your children at school, try to keep your distance from others where possible and please continue to wear a face-covering in and around the school premises.”

For pupils attending high schools, she said they were happy that they would be back in class full-time and added: "This is excellent news for them and for us ... and possibly even more so for most of you, too! 

“However, when our children return to our secondary schools, all special COVID prevention measures which were in place in the school before Christmas will be in place.

“In addition, we expect all pupils and staff to wear face-coverings at all times in the school, even in the classroom, unless they are exempt; pupils will no longer have to observe two-metre distancing in school; staff and pupils will have access to COVID-19 home testing kits.

“We’d like to encourage everyone to take part in testing regularly at home, to help keep the virus at bay.

"One in three people who have COVID-19 don’t have any of the usual symptoms so regular testing can help stop any spread. Your child should already have had the opportunity to collect kits from their own school. If not, please contact your school.”

Normal transport arrangements are in place to ensure that children are able to get to school.