Commenting as schools prepare to welcome children and staff back for the start of the new term, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“School leaders are preparing for the return to school this week and are taking the additional measures announced over the weekend in their stride, arranging testing and informing parents and carers about the new mask rules. They are hoping the extra measures will be enough to minimise disruption to education this term, but only the next few weeks will show how effective they really are.

“The biggest concern is staffing. Teachers and school staff will be testing and reporting their results at the start of this week and only then will school leaders know who they have available and be able to properly plan. School leaders will be doing everything possible to ensure a smooth return and a successful term for their students, but depending on how infection rates progress, it could be another stressful time.”