Schools and colleges across the UK and the county begin the big return to the classroom today (8th March).

While children of key workers and vulnerable children have been attending school and college in person throughout lockdown 3, for most this will be their first time in a classroom since Christmas.

Not everyone will be back today, as some schools and colleges have chosen to stagger the return slightly, to allow them to juggle the logistics of Covid testing with teaching.

All secondary school and college students will be required to have regular tests and to wear masks in the classroom.

In a statement on its website, SGS College said:

"SGS will be asking all 16-18 and degree level learners to return on site for one day per week during w/c 8th March, with the number of days increasing to two per week from w/c 15th March.

"SGS will be asking all adult and remaining apprentice learners to return from 15th March; priority will be given to practical provision and where learners are preparing for exams or assessments.

"We are planning that all 16-19 and higher education learners are tested weekly during w/c 8th, 15th and 22nd March."

Meanwhile, Gloucestershire College, which has campuses in Cheltenham, Gloucester and the Forest of Dean, said:

"It is important that you start to attend all your face-to-face classes as timetabled. Attendance is an important factor for high levels of achievement and particularly important for the development of practical and social skills."

On its website, it reminds students to follow the rules around social distancing and the college's one-way system, and to leave campus promptly at the end of face-to-face sessions.

It said the rules around wearing face coverings in communal areas will be in place until at least Easter.