CHESHIRE West and Chester Council says the reopening of schools to all pupils this week has been a success, and is "confident" it is prepared to deal with any potential coronavirus outbreak.

Schools across the borough were forced to shut their doors back in March as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Although select year groups were allowed to return to school in June, with a couple of schools having the facilities to open to other year groups, for most pupils their learning before the summer holidays was done remotely.

Over the past several weeks, the council has been working with school leaders leading up to the reopening to offer public health advice.

Scenario planning events have taken place to guide headteachers through how to deal with example situations such as a pupil who is symptomatic and what to do if a pupil tests positive for Covid-19.

School staff have received public health training and advice on how the NHS Test and Trace Service works to ensure they can manage any potential cases.

This extensive preparation has meant all schools reopened across the borough this week.

Cheshire West Association of Primary Headteachers chairs Sue Tomlinson and Rob Pullen said: “Headteachers and their teams are delighted to welcome pupils back to school and are reporting how lovely it is to hear the sound of happy children and staff back in the classrooms learning together.

“Our schools in Cheshire West have been working incredibly hard to prepare for a safe return to school and to reassure children, families and school communities of all the measures taken to help schools be safe places for learners and learning.

"Schools are working in close partnership with public health to ensure our environments are safe.

“Families have an important role to play also in communicating with schools if their child becomes unwell and by staying at home and self-isolating as necessary and following all Government guidelines on Covid-19.

“Schools are very mindful that there will be anxieties and that children, staff and families will need time to reconnect in a safe way and will be supporting children’s emotional health and wellbeing.”

Councillor Louise Gittins, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said “The preparation our public health officers and headteachers have carried out was essential in ensuring schools could reopen safely.

“Our teams will continue to work with schools in the months to come to monitor the situation. If there are cases of Covid infection in one of our schools in the weeks to come, we are confident that the planning is in place to deal with any situations effectively so that pupils’ education and school life can continue.”

The council advises anyone visiting a business where they feel the business are not following the relevant government guidelines, to email regulatoryservices@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.

Protect yourself, your family and friends by getting a coronavirus test if you feel ill or have symptoms (a high temperature, new, continuous cough, loss or change to your sense of smell or taste).

To get tested, please call 119 or visit nhs.uk/coronavirus. Protect your community by then self-isolating for 10 days if you have symptoms or 14 days if alerted to do so by a contact tracer.