Schools returned for the summer term today, with the vast majority of pupils studying from home.

Richard Dedicoat, head teacher at Shotley Community primary school, held an assembly, which was shown online for students to see and listen too.

Other schools on the peninsula have started the new curriculum with remote learning after the Easter break.

Some teachers will go to their schools on a rota basis as children of essential workers, and those youngsters considered vulnerable, will attend Brantham, Stutton, Holbrook, Tattingstone, Chelmondiston and Shotley for lessons.

Meanwhile, not having very many students on site did not stop two members of staff and a pupil at the Royal Hospital School from hoisting their school colours to mark the end of the Easter holidays and the beginning of a new day.

The Holbrook school, which is planning to build a Costa style cafe in a revamped heritage centre, will continue to raise and lower the flag in traditional fashion each day.

RHS, which usually attracts students from across the world in addition to pupils from the peninsula will utilise its 108 teachers, that will teach 750 pupils in 38 countries 28 subjects over 26 periods via its remote learning capability.

RHS is recognised as one of the top EdTech 50 schools across the UK, is an Apple Training Centre and pupils have been using their own iPads provided by the school to access resources in lessons for the past five years. Using Microsoft Teams, teachers will be able to provide the normal daily timetable of lessons, bar PE and games.

Pupils will be able to see their teacher on their iPad and interact either via audio or through messaging whilst lessons will also be recorded for those children in different times zones to access. RHS has spent the last two weeks training all its teachers on Microsoft Teams and they will be able to continue lessons from their classrooms or from their homes.

Headmaster Simon Lockyer said: "The Royal Hospital School has been developing its technology support structures for the past five years and has an enviable IT reputation.

"Throughout the physical closure, we plan to support our pupils and the wider school community through an online programme including lessons and other opportunities to develop a range of skills"

Meanwhile, some of the leading state schools have collaborated to open The Oak National Academy, which was launched today.

This is a new initiative, led by 40 teachers who have assembled video lessons and resources for any teacher in the country to make use of if they wish to do so.

Disadvantaged children across England are set to receive laptops and tablets as part of a push to make remote education accessible.