A school in Royal Wootton Bassett school has announced it will reopen to pupils next week with major changes to its class size to meet government guidelines.

Noremarsh junior school is set to reopen for year six pupils on June 1.

The junior school will split the year group equally into groups of 15 boys and girls, where each child will have their own desk – spaced two meters apart – and will use their pens, pencils and stationary.

Additionally, pupils will come into and leave the school at staggered times with a 10 minute gap between, and staff will only work with one group of children to minimise risk.

Andy Simpson, head teacher at Noremarsh Junior School, said: “Clearly, life at Noremarsh Junior and every other school will not be the same as it was before the epidemic for the foreseeable future.

“We are able to support our year 6 pupils’ return, but it will mean utilising almost all of our available resources and staff.

“I am very proud of the united team approach of all our staff throughout these very challenging times, and I know parents appreciate the innovative approaches and flexibility my colleagues are showing throughout this period.”

Mr Simpson said that the school has communicated with all parents of year six children and explained that the decision to send their child in is theirs alone and ‘there will be no penalty’ if they choose not to.

He added that the school will be working with the children on their transition to Royal Wootton Bassett Academy.

He added: “The children will be given a 30-minute lunchbreak and at all times will remain within the same teaching group with no mixing between groups, and we will be taking every opportunity to maintain social distancing.

“Staff who need to make contact with any child for medical treatment will use PPE, and parents will be informed straight away. If a child exhibits any symptoms, they will be immediately isolated and parents will need to collect them immediately.

“No more than one child will be allowed in the toilet at any time and handwashing will be strongly encouraged throughout the day.

“Personal, Social Health and Economic (PSHE) education and wellbeing will also be a large part of the school day, and we’ll also uncover the gaps in their learning and help fill those.

“We’re also determined that they will have a wonderful few weeks in their final term at Noremarsh, so we’re putting together lots of activities, like an online leavers assembly and a virtual residential placement instead of the actual annual residential trip we had booked in Devon.

“The children will create a Mini-Me, and then play online games there with dice rolls determining outcomes.

“We see our job as creating life-long memories for them, so rather than remembering the lockdown in future years, they’ll remember enjoying their learning with their friends at Noremarsh.”