Back to school: Gradual return in Scotland from Monday

Schools across Scotland have been closed to the vast majority of pupils since December

Some year groups in Scotland can start to return to classrooms from Monday 22 February.

This includes those at pre-school and pupils aged four to seven at primary schools and some secondary school pupils.

Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, made the announcement last week - she's in charge of making decisions for the country.

So what is planned?

What's happening with schools in Scotland?

Ms Sturgeon confirmed that a "phased and gradual return" of pupils would go ahead as planned.

All children in P1 to P3, and those at pre-school, will return to face-to-face learning from Monday, while other age groups will continue to learn from home (apart from some secondary pupils who need to complete coursework).

She said "children's education and well-being is a priority" and that she is "very keen" to begin a gradual return of younger pupils to schools.

Schools in Scotland will reopen gradually and the hope is to allow pupils from all years to return in March. Ms Sturgeon will confirm this in a review in two weeks.

She also said that it was unlikely other lockdown restrictions in Scotland would be eased anytime soon, with schools being a priority.

"What is really important is that that's not seen as a trigger for people who are currently able to work from home to go back to work, or parents to meet up with each other more," she said.

The first minister warned that "our situation is still very fragile", adding: "Even a slight easing of restrictions could cause cases to start rising rapidly again".

While she said it would continue to be "extremely cautious", the government is focused on a "gradual, phased return to as much normality as possible".

What is happening elsewhere in the UK?

Scotland's decision on when schools can reopen is different to England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This is because each country is in control of its own coronavirus restrictions.

Nicola Sturgeon (pictured) announced the plans this afternoon

Primary schools in Wales will reopen for kids between the ages of three and seven from 22 February.

However, the government has said it's not in a position to allow all pupils to return and hasn't given a date on other year groups.

In England, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he will announce a plan for the easing of lockdown on 22 February.

This will include the dates schools can reopen to all children.

He has confirmed that any return to the schools won't happen until at least 8 March.

He has also promised schools would get a two-week warning to prepare for students going back so teachers and parents can get ready.

In Northern Ireland, schools remained closed to most students until at least 8 March.