Flintshire Council has outlined what safety measures are going to be in place as children go back to school from June 29.

The local authority has received guidance from Welsh Government and is working closely with schools to ensure pupils have the opportunity to check in, catch up, and prepare for September.

A Flintshire Council spokesman said: “During this period of school closure, schools have also worked very creatively to maintain pupil engagement in learning though a variety of means.

“It is clear that they will have to operate in a very different way for the foreseeable future, providing a combination of face to face and remote learning – a blended learning approach.

“The planning is in the early stages but we appreciate that parents and carers and, indeed, pupils and school staff, will have concerns and questions. That’s why we want to keep you informed as decisions are made so that we hope that you will feel reassured and confident in the steps we are taking. The safety and wellbeing of our staff and learners is of paramount importance in all our planning.”

Due to the challenges posed by nursery aged pupils in relation to social distancing, Flintshire Council has made the decision to exclude this group of pupils from the check in and catch up sessions before the summer holidays.

Parents can be assured that most other authorities in Wales are taking a similar stance in terms of this age bracket.

Flintshire’s position is that children should not be switching between the emergency childcare group and the “check in/catch up” sessions – this increases the risk of transmitting the virus between different cohorts of pupils. In fact, these pupils have already had contact time with familiar staff to enable them to “check in and catch up”.

Each school is different and arrangements will be in place to suit each individual school setting.

The council acknowledges that there will be much smaller classes, providing secure dedicated time with teachers and classmates. This time will include online and personalised classroom experience and getting children and teachers ready for a similar experience in September.

As always, it is important to note that there is no obligation to send children back to school if it is not right for them or their families. Therefore, during this time, parents will not be fined if they choose not to send their child to school.

Children attending hubs will move back to their own school on June 22 and the council is working closely with schools to manage this transition.

Where possible, the council is asking that parents and carers travel with their children to and from school. When dropping off or picking up children, we would ask all parents and carers to adhere to the guidelines and arrangements which will be put in place by the school to ensure that social distancing is maintained.

Flintshire’s transport unit is working closely with schools to determine the demand for school transport. The county has a “robust transport network” and the council says they are confident they can meet the needs of pupils.

Schools will not be open to more than a third of learners at any time, so the council is looking at staggered pick-up and drop-off times, along with other options. If you have requested school transport, you will be contacted by the school once that has been put in place.

The council says is takes the safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff seriously and we is working with NEWydd to ensure all schools will be cleaned regularly and have sufficient cleaning materials, soap and hand sanitiser available.

In Flintshire, the council has decided pupils will be provided with in school catering and is currently working through the options.

As the water fountains will not be in use, pupils can bring in a water bottle as long as it is clearly named and not shared with anyone else.

Other essential equipment, for example a pencil case, can be brought in but items must not be shared with other people.

If you are in receipt of direct payments currently instead of free school meals, the packed lunch will be provided free of charge and you will continue to receive the direct payments.

Councillor Ian Roberts, leader of the council and cabinet member for education and youth, said: “This will not be a return to school as we knew it previously, it will be an opportunity to give students vital contact time before the summer holiday which will have important social and learning benefits. Teaching and lessons in schools are unlikely during this check-in, catch-up period.

“For parents and teachers too, this is an important opportunity to experience and be confident of the safety measures in place.”

Claire Homard, Flintshire’s chief officer for education and youth, said: “We are continuing to work very closely with head teachers to plan how schools will operate from June 29 and we will update you regularly to reassure you that we are putting measures in place to ensure that all children will be safe during this transition period.

“The safety and wellbeing of everyone is at the core of our planning and preparations. We have well established routines of social distancing and hygiene in all our hub settings which can be transferred into every school. We have detailed guidance, suitable risk assessments and appropriate resources to support our schools at this crucial time.

“We will keep you updated as things develop in the next few days and weeks.”