Primary schools are continuing to plan and prepare for a phased return to the classroom – with seven in Waveney provisionally reopening next month.

Eastern Daily Press: Red Oak Primary School, Lowestoft.Picture: Nick ButcherRed Oak Primary School, Lowestoft.Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

As lockdown starts to ease, and after the government announced that children in nursery, reception, year one and year six classes could potentially be the first to return to school in June, academy trusts and school leaders have been planning for the reopening.

Now, the seven Active Learning Trust primary schools in Waveney have told parents and carers of its provisional reopening dates and plans to open its doors once more to select groups of children.

Eastern Daily Press: Pakefield Primary School.PHOTO: Nick ButcherPakefield Primary School.PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

But the Active Learning Trust leadership team has stressed that “schools will only reopen if the Government’s five key tests have been met.”

Since the lockdown began, the Active Learning Trust primary schools in Waveney have been partially open to vulnerable children and children of key workers.

Eastern Daily Press: Reydon Primary School. PHOTO: Nick ButcherReydon Primary School. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

Now, the following schools have unveiled provisional dates as follows:

? Albert Pye Community Primary School, on Frederick’s Road, Beccles – Monday, June 8 (nursery, reception, Year 1 and Year 6)

Eastern Daily Press: Red Oak Primary School, Lowestoft Picture: Nick ButcherRed Oak Primary School, Lowestoft Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

? Ravensmere Infant School, on St Benedict’s Road, Beccles – Monday, June 8 (reception, Year 1 and Year 2)

? Red Oak Primary School, on Southwell Road, Lowestoft – Wednesday, June 3 for reception children (open Monday through until Thursday) and Thursday, June 4 (Year 1 and Year 6, open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday)

Eastern Daily Press: Beccles and Bungay buildings and places photo quiz. Ravensmere Infant School. Picture: Nick ButcherBeccles and Bungay buildings and places photo quiz. Ravensmere Infant School. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)

? Grove Primary School, on Framfield Road, Carlton Colville, Lowestoft – Monday, June 8 (reception, Year 1 and Year 6)

? Pakefield Primary School, on London Road, Pakefield, Lowestoft – Monday, June 8 (nursery, reception and Year 6)

? Reydon Primary School, on Jermyns Road, Reydon – Monday, June 8 (reception, Year 1 and Year 6, open Monday through until Thursday)

? Westwood Primary School, on Westwood Avenue, Lowestoft – Monday, June 8 (reception, Y1 and Y6).

Stephen Chamberlain, chief executive of the Active Learning Trust, said: “Our headteachers and their teams continue to do a fantastic job in keeping our schools open for our vulnerable children and for the children of key workers, in compliance with all the recommended government guidance.

“Although we are one family, each of our schools have their own unique histories and identities and we ensure, as a Trust, that we preserve these characteristics.

“We have complete trust in the professionalism and experience of our school leaders who know their individual schools and communities extremely well.

“They will make the right decisions in the best interests of everyone and will be fully supported in doing so by the Trust’s Executive team and the Board of Trustees.

“Following the government announcement on the next phase of school reopening, all our schools are undertaking extensive risk assessment with the support of the Active Learning Trust team.

“This includes following all the recommended guidance and procedures for ensuring our schools are as safe as possible for when more of our staff and children return.

“School buildings and classrooms will be further adapted as required to meet the guidelines on health, safety social distancing and staff will undertake extensive training before more of the children return.

“This is all being carried out in a measured and carefully managed process to ensure that we are able to monitor and adapt as required.

“We know this is an anxious time for parents as they make informed choices for their children based on the information provided by our headteachers.

“The safety and well-being of children and staff is at the heart of the decisions we and our schools are making, and we will continue to keep our families updated.”