Reception children will return to Ashby Hill Top Primary School two days a week under current phased reopening plans.

And those in Year 1 and Year 6 will attend from Monday to Thursday - with the school closed to all but vulnerable children and those of key workers on a Friday.

But executive headteacher Sylvie Newman has pledged that while children will find the Beaumont Avenue school 'very different' from normal, staff 'will endeavour to make the experience as positive as possible'.

The Government is aiming for a gradual reopening of primary schools starting with reception, Year 1 and Year 6 on 1 June, although this is not yet a fixed date.

In a letter to parents Mrs Newman says: "School will be a very different place - certainly this side of the summer holidays.

"It is important that we all understand that.

"I know that your children are missing school, their friends and normality - as we all are.

"School will not be the normal Hill Top that we are all missing, lunch times and break times, class times and sometimes teaching staff will be different, however we will endeavour to make the experience as positive as possible for the children."

Mrs Newman says the school is making 'significant preparations' before reopening and updating risk assessments to ensure safety for children and staff.

She also emphasises that parents can choose whether to send their child to school and they will not be fined if they decide to keep them at home.

However, the school expects children who do attend to do so on every available day to maintain the stability of the groups put into place.

Mrs Newman details the schedule for returners: "We do not plan to open to all children on the same day and we will not open to any groups until Tuesday, 2 June.

"We have been asked to keep children in 'bubbles', these groups of no more than 15 will as far as possible not mix with other bubbles.

"We believe that where staffing allows, it is important that the children are taught by their teacher in their classroom.

"As our children are already in mixed aged classes in Year 1 and Year 6, these children will be able to attend school in their class groups on Monday through to Thursday.

"Due to the nature of the children, the numbers in each class, the curriculum and the classroom, EYFS [Early Years Foundation Stage] children will not be able to all attend at the same time.

"We will be providing a place for these children in two groups.

"Mrs Dexter's children will attend on Mondays and Tuesdays and Miss Butterworth's children will attend on Wednesday and Thursday.

"School will be closed to all but vulnerable children and those who have parents who are key workers each Friday.

"This is to allow for a deep clean of the school and gives staff time to plan for the children in school and prepare home learning for those that are not."

While groups of children will be kept apart 'as far as possible' Mrs Newman emphasises that maintaining the two metre distance at all times is 'something that we obviously cannot guarantee with young children' - a fact recognised by the Department for Education.

"However, wherever possible, desks will be placed apart and social distancing rules will be applied.

"We will clean surfaces throughout the day and ensure that the children frequently wash their hands or use hand sanitiser.

"There will be staggered start and collection times for children and staggered breaks and lunch to assist with social distancing.

"Children can wear uniform or their own clothes, but must have clean clothes for each day.

"Children and staff do not need to wear face coverings, however staff may need to wear them in certain circumstances for example, if they need to administer first aid," she adds.