Dudley Council has confirmed the dates primary and secondary school pupils will return to education next week.

All primary school pupils will return on Monday 4th January, unless their school has already scheduled an inset day as part their calendar.

In secondary schools, vulnerable pupils and those of critical workers in all year groups should also return to school from Monday 4th January. During this week remote learning will be provided for years 11 and 13.

Other year 11 and 13 pupils should return to school from Monday 11 January, and all other year groups will be back in by Monday 18 January. 

Individual schools will advise parents and carers of the dates when pupils in each year group should return, and remote learning will be provided until they do so.

In special schools and alternative provision, pupils should all be back in school by the end of the week commencing 4^th January and, again, individual schools will advise parents and carers of the dates when pupils in each year group should return.

Lateral flow testing of pupils and school staff will begin in mid January and the local authority hopes that all parents and carers will support the intention of keeping schools fully open by ensuring that all children have a test when required.