NEW measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 are set to be in place as Southampton pupils will  go back to their classroom on Monday.

Lateral flow Covid-19 tests will be mandatory for teachers and students in secondary schools and colleges.

It comes as there will be a staggered return for most secondary schools and colleges in the city in order to allow for testing systems to be established.

Meanwhile, primary and special schools and early years settings will have access to twice-weekly testing.

However,primary and early years aged children are not asked to be tested.

A range of other measures including the wearing of face coverings in secondary schools and colleges, social distancing measures and classroom ventilation will also be in place in schools across the city.

It comes all children will be allowed back to their classroom on March 8 as lockdown restrictions begin to ease.

From March 6,  households, childcare and support bubbles with children, young people or teaching and support staff attending early years, schools or colleges, will also be able to access lateral flow tests through at new testing sites.

Covid-19 mass testing to begin 

It comes as a fixed testing site will open from March 6 at Merryoak Community Centre in Acacia Road.

It will operate seven days a week from 8am to 7pm.

A Mobile Testing Unit will open on March 8 and will operate at different locations around the city, including Lords Hill Car Park at Lords Hill Centre, Shirley Baptist Church Car Park in Shirley and Richard Taunton Sixth Form College.

Residents will also be able to collect a testing kit at the testing sites in Marlborough Road, Woodley Road, Guildhall and Avenue Campus from 1pm to 7pm.

Testing will be available seven days a week and slots will have to  be booked in advance.

Jason Ashley, headteacher at Redbridge Secondary School and local representative for the Association of School and College Leaders teaching union, said: “In schools and colleges we’re looking forward  to welcoming all pupils back, and want to reassure families that all the measures put in place with colleagues from education, health and unions means that we’ve done everything we can to keep our school communities safe”.

Cllr Darren Paffey, cabinet member for children and learning, said: "Returning to school is important for young people’s academic and personal development and, while it’s understandable that there might be some anxieties, the council has been in constant dialogue with school leaders, staff, public health experts and trade unions, who have all worked immensely hard to prepare for pupils returning as safely as possible.

"With schools doing everything they can to keep their staff, pupils and families safe, it’s also crucial that we all play our part. 

"So I encourage everyone who is eligible for the COVID testing that is on offer to get tested, so that we can all help to reduce transmission and protect our school communities.""