Parents, and schools themselves, have raised concerns about proposals for pupils to go back to the classroom later this month.

Education Minister Kirsty Williams outlined the government’s next phase for schools in Wales.

All children will have the opportunity to “check in, catch up, prepare for summer and September”.

It is proposed that all schools will start the next phase on June 29, with the term extended by a week, therefore ending on July 27.

However, some schools took to social media to say they had not received any advanced warning about this.

Hawarden High School’s head teacher said: “Welsh Government have announced that schools in Wales will begin a partial re-opening from June 29.

“However, individual schools will take differing approaches as to how they manage this.

“As we have not had any advance notice of these announcements, we shall await to see the practical guidance which will be published next week.

”I shall write to parents with further details at that time.”

Minera VA Primary shared a letter they had sent out to parents which said the announcement was the first-time school leaders were made aware of the plans.

It reads: “I can share with you that we are all shocked, as the consultation for return was around limited year groups, as in England.”

The letter went on to say that families who are shielding should not allow their children to return to school and parents who do not wish for their child to return to school will be ‘fully supported’ through distance learning.

Bryn Coch school tweeted assurances to parents as they will make sure it is ‘thoroughly planned’ before allowing children back to school.

However, concerns have been raised by local parents who say it is far too soon to be opening up schools, which increases the risk of a second wave.

Darren Owens said: “You can meet two families outdoors within a five-mile radius of your home.

“But your kids can go back to school, meet as many families as they like and parents can gather outside of school.

“Teachers can travel to school from wherever they like, utter shambles. All the rules are out the window.”

Wayne Pemberton said: “It’s not safe to go night fishing or to a beach but it’s safe to open schools and have thousands of kids throughout the country mixing with each other.”

Ceri Davies added: “They tell us we can meet family but must stay outdoors and two meters apart to "keep safe" how is that going to work in a school?

“I feel sorry for the children and for the teachers, it’s an absolute joke. Just keep them off till it is 100% safe to send everyone back.”

Mandy Jones said: “ I think it’s a lot to ask of a teacher to try [to] keep the children safe in regards to the social distance.

“But we’ve got to be fair to Kirsty Williams, she is giving parents the options and everyone needs to be nice and respect what others do. We all have our personal reasons on whatever we decide.”

Looking to the next academic year, beginning in September, the Government’s intention is that the autumn half-term break will be expanded to two weeks.

In each school there will be a phased approach and year groups will be split into cohorts with staggered starts, lessons and breaks. It is expected that this will mean, at most, a third of pupils present at any one time, though schools may need time to reach this level of operation.

There will be much smaller classes, providing secure dedicated time with teachers and classmates.

This time will include online and personalised classroom experience, getting children and teachers ready for a similar experience in September.

Next week, the Welsh Government will publish guidance to support schools, as well as further and higher education institutions. This will include information on managing their facilities and logistical arrangements, including buildings, resources, cleaning and transport.

Sally Ann Frankland said: “That's great but I have a year 11 child that is stuck in limbo as he didn't even get to say goodbye to his friends or teachers due to him having covid before they closed the schools doors.”

Sammy Cartwright said: “We’re undecided if I’m honest and scared.

“We spoke with our children today and they both want to go back.

“As parents we absolutely do not want them to go back but we’re having to look at the bigger picture so will wait to hear what our school is going to put in place and how it will work before we make our final decision.”

Kay Jones added: “I'm undecided on the matter. My kids on the other hand want to go back.

"My eldest two are in high school. Even a third of pupils at any one time will be over 300 pupils, then the staff on top in the school at any one time.

“They also have to use a service bus to get back and too and busses are only allowing a limited number of passengers. They normally leave home at 7.20am to be able to get a bus into school - would they now have to hang around for longer waiting for a bus that will have space for them? We both work so will be unable to do school runs.

“Plus why should they be used as guinea pigs being sent to school? We are not allowed to sit in a family members house, but they can sit in a classroom with other kids, it's ridiculous.”

Many parents told the Leader that they will not be sending their children back to school until it is safe to do so.

It is understood that schools will contact parents in the near future with more information.