SCHOOLS across England could reopen in a matter of weeks as the government begins to ease lockdown restrictions across the country. 

This afternoon, the government's COVID-19 recovery strategy document set out how schools would be affected and the timeframes in which they would reopen.

On March 18, primary schools, secondary schools and Sixth Form academies were officially ordered to close as the coronavirus outbreak began to grip the country.

At the time, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson made the order as experts said the closure could help reduce the spread of the virus.

But under the government's phased easing of lockdown restrictions, those schools could open in a matter of weeks with certain year groups being able to return to classes in stages.

The official document said the government expected children to be able to return to early years settings, and for Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 to be back in school in smaller sizes from June 1.

It said it aimed to ensure that the youngest children, and those preparing for the transition to secondary school, had maximum time with their teachers.

Meanwhile, the government said secondary schools and further education should prepare to have 'some' face-to-face contact with Year 10 and Year 12 pupils who had key exams next year, but in support of their continued, home learning.

In the document, the government said there was a 'large societal benefit' from vulnerable children, or the children of critical workers, attending school and said councils and schools should therefore urge more children who would benefit from attending to do so.

It said, it was the government’s plan for all primary school children to return to school before the summer for a month if feasible, though this will be kept under review.

Those in other year groups - which the government say do not require the same intensity of teaching that those facing exams face - should continue to study from home.

The Department of Education is understood to be engaging closely with schools and early years providers and will be issuing guidance on how schools should facilitate the new rules.