Pupils in Torfaen will return to the classroom for just three weeks when schools resume on June 29.

The Welsh Government plan was to extend the summer term by a week – to finish on July 27 - but unions expressed concern over problems with staff contracts.

Schools across the local authority will now finish on July 17 instead.

A maximum of a third of pupils will be going back at any one time.

Schools will be writing to parents to outline the individual offer to children and the changes to how their school will need to operate to keep everyone safe.

Each school has now carried out a detailed risk assessment to guide the plans for a safe return for pupils and staff and is ensuring they are complying with national and local guidance.

These arrangements will be different for each school as they take account of the number of rooms, the availability of staff, the numbers of children who want to return and lots of other factors that need to be taken into account.

There will be no school dinners or any food available to purchase in school. All children who attend must bring their packed lunch and a drink with them.

All schools will open each day at their usual school opening hours and schools will inform pupils which days they should attend as well their start and finish times.

The local authority have also recommended schools relax uniform rules for this three week period, as people are being advised to change and wash clothes daily, and many children may have outgrown this year’s uniform

Cllr Richard Clark, Executive Member for Education said: “While schools will not be the same as children remember and they will notice lots of differences upon their return, as a school community we are looking forward to having the children back in schools in the coming few weeks.

“I would like to thank every family for the support you have given your children for the educational support you have been providing over the past three months.

“While we are all grateful that the current public health crisis has improved to enable a limited return to school, it is unlikely that schools will return to the way they were operated prior to the lockdown for some considerable time.

“We need to approach the check in, catch up arrangements as first steps towards inspiring and exciting pupils about learning once again.

“As we receive more guidance from Welsh Government on the plans for education from September onwards we will keep you informed of what we will be doing in Torfaen.”