Some were nervous but most were delighted to be back in class as pupils officially returned to school this morning after two months of being taught at home.

There were a few tears as parents waved goodbye to their younger offspring at the school gates but for the most part Kent pupils and teachers embraced the belated start of a new term.

Fulston Manor pupils Amber Howe, Poppy Trantum and Maisie Tossell

Susie Burden, Head of School at Fulston Manor secondary school in Brenchley Road, Sittingbourne, said: "We are all very much looking forward to getting the students back into school over the course of this week.

"The testing in school has been an interesting logistical challenge and we will have tested a significant number of the students by Thursday. We are grateful for students and their families for supporting us in this process."

Teachers tested themselves at home yesterday (Sunday). Sixth-formers were invited in on Thursday last week for testing in the main hall and Year 11s, who are aged 15 and 16 and on GCSE courses, were tested on Friday.

Despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson's wish for all pupils to go back at once, Fulston, in line with many schools, decided to stagger the return. Year 10s were turning up today. The youngest Year 7s are expected in on Thursday to complete the return of all of the school's 1,350 pupils.

Once the students have completed three tests at school they will be given home kits.

Mrs Burden said: "We are hopeful that these additional measures will help to keep the school open and will support us in getting back to doing what we love best - educating our young people and helping them to get to their next stage. This will be the focus in the coming weeks.”

Friends Amber Howe, 15, Poppy Trantum, 16, and Maisie Tossell, 15, were all delighted to be back.

Amber said: "I don't really like home learning, I find it a lot more difficult to get it all done so being back at school with the teachers helping is a lot easier."

Poppy said: "I'm glad to be back to see my friends and get more one-to-one attention from the teachers as it is easier to ask questions and understand the work."

Maisie added: "I like being back as it's easier to concentrate at school. Home-learning is harder. I like having the one-to-one teachers as well." But she admitting getting up in time for school was "difficult" as she had been "sleeping in" all the time.

The Oasis Academy at Minster on the Isle of Sheppey has also had to convert one of its spaces into a Covid testing centre with specially isolated booths. All secondary students must now wear face masks while in school. Primary school pupils are able to go to school without.

At Minster-in-Sheppey Primary School on Sheppey pupils were given the task of growing "rainbow" flowers to mark their return.

Co-heads of school Lynne Lewis and Michelle Jeffery, delivered an assembly to all classes via Zoom using the text Rain Before Rainbows by Smriti Halls and David Litchfield. Mrs Lewis said: “Each year group has been given a different type of seed associated with different colours such as sunflower and poppy seeds. When they flower across the seven year groups we will see the rainbow we have planted.”

It was on Monday, February 22, that the government announced that all schools in England were to reopen.

At Minster, teachers had been giving pupils work to do at home with remote learning packaged as well as looking after 134 critical workers' children and vulnerable pupils at school every day.

The school has introduced twice-weekly Lateral Flow Testing. Staff who have been on the premises have been using them since January.

Mrs Lewis said: "Despite the use of testing not being mandatory, the staff have embraced the opportunity, recognising that they provide an additional layer of protection and will reduce the likelihood of any bubble closures."

She added: "Whilst we have been making the arrangements to welcome back all pupils, their families and staff, it has been our priority to ensure the home learning provision and the face-to-face provision in school has remained at a high standard.”

During the past week staff attended school on a rota to prepare classrooms to ensure they were ready for pupils. The school has also contacted families to offer emotional support if needed.

Today Anne Pleace, Year 1 Leader, said “We are beyond excited to welcome back our pupils and we are looking forward to a fun-filled term.” Foundation leader Michelle Bennett added: "I can’t wait to welcome the children back. We have seen them on Zoom but it will be lovely to be back together in the classroom.”

As the gates opened, Hayley Mills Year 3 Leader said: "It is very exciting to be back at school. I’m looking forward to greeting the children. It will be lovely to be back together again in a safe environment.”

Maxwell Green of Robin class said: “Thank you for letting me come back to school because I love it and I love doing busy things.”

Kimberly Ironside of Dove Class (Year 2) said: “I’m so excited at being with my friends and teachers again.”

Noah Fuller-Coper of Kookaburra (Year 6) added: "I’m looking forward to being with my friends and can't wait for my maths lesson.”

Lucy Dolan, also of Kookaburra, said: “I’m really looking forward to a bit of normality and learning in the classroom again.”

KMTV speak to headteachers who react to challenging day as schools reopen

It wasn't just teachers, parents and children who had an early start.

Tim Lambkin who runs Travelmasters bus company at Sheerness normally ships 1,600 youngsters between the Island and mainland schools every day.

He said: "We were busy last week getting our fleet of 26 school buses ready and doing some test runs. It was a bit hectic. Like most companies we had to furlough staff during the lockdown but we have had to learn to adapt. It is what it is."

His workshop was full of vehicles on ramps being serviced ready for today's return to normal. He said: "At first we carried on taking about 20 kids a day who are children of key workers but recently that crept up to about 100. Now we are expecting to get back to 1,600. It looks like there is light at the end of the tunnel but who knows what will happen next."

Extra buses have been added to ensure children are properly distanced, Perspex screens have been installed to protect drivers, there are hand sanitiser bottles and everyone must wear a mask on the bus.

Pupils in Medway were treated to a day of re-integration with one school decorating its entrance to welcome back its cohort.

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Read more: All the latest news from Sittingbourne

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