Holbrook Academy will be operating a staggered return and setting up for mass Covid-19 testing for pupils, when the school holidays end on Monday 4 January.

Only children of key or critical workers, alongside those identified by school leaders to be a priority for onsite support, will be allowed to return school from 4 January, as planned but Year 11 students have been told they should not return as expected.

The Year 11s will be taking their mock exams the following year and only they will be allowed back onsite on January 11 (apart from key worker children).

All other year groups will utilise the remote learning system and parents will be contacted by the school next week giving them further guidance, with extra laptops and other equipment being provided from Monday.

All the students are expected to return to the Academy as usual on Monday18 January, depending on the latest government guidelines. The Shotley peninsula, along with the rest of Suffolk, moved in Tier 4 on Wednesday, 23 December and discussions between education leaders and the Department of Education have continued regarding students nationwide returning to school..

Headteacher Tom Maltby said in a statement: "Remote learning will be provided for all students next week. No student should view next week as an extended holiday.

"We will be delivering additional laptops and devices to strengthen wi-fi to identified homes from Monday. We have strong contingency plans in place and we have also used feedback from all students to enhance the experience of remote learning."

From Monday 18th January, remote learning for all other year groups will end; this means that from this date all year groups will be expected to be back at school.

"The Academy is determined to ensure that, despite the challenges, the start of term will still enable all students to make good academic progress. Students should continue to have their school timetable in front of them to guide them through their work," added Mr Maltby.

The school has also confirmed preparations for on-site testing for Covid-19 will continue. Further information regarding when this testing will take place will be provided early next week and no pupil will be tested without their parents or carers' consent.