EDUCATION and health chiefs are reassuring parents and students of their safety in the run-up to schools re-opening next week with increased testing and safety measures.

Students at secondary schools across the borough will be part of a mass testing programme from the first week of return and parents are being urged to authorise the testing of their child.

Primary school children will not receive lateral flow tests, but staff will be tested twice a week.

A spokesman for Dudley Council said: "Most children have been out of school since the Christmas break with headteachers and staff working tirelessly to continue to provide education for those in school and at home, while ensuring sites are safe and prepared to welcome children back from 8 March."

Each school will have its own measures in place and parents are being reminded to check with their school about their own localised plans.

Primary children will be in class bubbles. They will not receive lateral flow tests, but staff will be tested twice a week.

Parents and carers are asked to stick to social distancing guidelines and wear face masks on school grounds.

Students at secondary school will be returning from March 8, but staggered starts are more likely and depend on each school.

Secondary school pupils and staff will be part of a mass testing programme from the first week of return.

Each school will be communicating this to parents and students through their usual channels.

Secondary and college students are now expected to wear face masks in all areas where social distancing cannot be maintained, this includes classrooms, communal areas and school gates.

Councillor Ruth Buttery, cabinet member for children and young people said: "Our headteachers and staff have done an incredible job of providing learning for students over the last few months and have worked hard to make their sites safe and welcoming places to learn.

"We know this is a time that many parents and carers have eagerly awaited and our schools are very much looking forward to welcoming pupils back so they can enjoy school learning and socialising with their peers.

"It’s really important that pupils and parents feel reassured about the return to school. I speak as a mum as well as a councillor when I say I have full confidence in the measures our schools have put in place to protect pupils, staff and parents.

"I would ask parents to familiarise themselves with their school’s policies and we are heartily encouraging all parents to give permission for their secondary school children to be tested to help keep our schools as safe as they can be for everyone."

Parents and carers and anyone else living with a school age child are among priority groups being given access to free home lateral flow testing kits to test themselves.

Information can be found at www.gov.uk/guidance/rapid-lateral-flow-testing-for-households-and-bubbles-of-school-pupils-and-staff

Twice weekly testing will help detect hidden asymptomatic cases and help keep pupils and staff safer in school.

Anyone unable to do home testing can book a test at one of the Dudley lateral flow testing centres. These are at Dudley Leisure Centre, Saltwells Education Centre, with pop-up sessions at Holy Trinity Church Community Centre in Wordsley, Lifecentral Church in Halesowen, St Andrews Church in Sedgley, St James Church in Wollaston and the Salvation Army Church in Lye.

There is also testing at more than 30 pharmacies across the borough. For details on where you can get a lateral flow test and to book visit www.dudley.gov.uk/symptom-free-testing