FEARS about difficulties in social distancing among children have been raised as concerns among headteachers in the region as they start making preparations for the return of greater pupil numbers from as early as next month.

The Government is planning a phased return of pupils from June 1, and has said it wants all primary school pupils to be back in class for a month before the end of the school year.

School leaders are asking for clear guidance from the Department of Education on the practicalities of the proposed return to school.

Chris Zarraga, director of Schools North East, a regional network representing more than 1,100 schools, said: "Our school leaders need clear guidance from the Department for Education on the practicalities of the proposed phased return to school, as well as the flexibility to make this safe within their context.

"The announcement that three year groups will be prioritised for return as early as 1st June is a concern, given many school leaders have expressed the difficulty of social distancing, particularly in young age groups and in schools with large year groups.

"Many education unions have also expressed concerns over this date, pairing concerns around social distancing with issues around PPE for staff.

"Schools must not extend their opening until it is absolutely safe to do so. The health of both our students and staff must be the priority."

The Government says it expects children in early years settings and those in reception, year one and six to be back in school, in smaller sizes, from June 1.

Guidance issued yesterday says: "This aims to ensure that the youngest children, and those preparing for the transition to secondary school, have maximum time with their teachers.

"Secondary schools and further education colleges should also prepare to begin some face to face contact with Year 10 and 12 pupils who have key exams next year, in support of their continued remote, home learning.

"The Government’s ambition is for all primary school children to return to school before the summer for a month if feasible, though this will be kept under review.

"The Department of Education will engage closely with schools and early years providers to develop further detail and guidance on how schools should facilitate this."

Last night, local authorities were still awaiting further guidance from the Department of Education.

A spokeswoman for Schools North East added that concerns remained among parents about sending their children back to school and said take-up may be low.

A survey by Parentkind, carried out last week, found only seven per cent of the parents who took part would feel comfortable with a July return date.

Meanwhile, more than 380,000 people have signed a petition urging the Government to give parents a choice on sending their children back to school if they reopen next month.

The National Education Union yesterday described the timetable as "reckless".

Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary, said: "The National Education Union want schools to move to a wider opening as soon as it is safe to do so, but it is not safe yet.

"This timetable is reckless. This timetable is simply not safe.

"Staff in schools and colleges are asking today for the evidence behind the decision to select some year groups. Education staff do not feel reassured that the Government is taking these steps with public health in mind.

"Heads have been inundated with questions and queries from their staff and from parents. The Government has stoked teachers' anxiety and triggered real confusion because the announcement is inconsistent on the importance of social distancing and how or whether it can be achieved in schools.

"This is not fair to anyone and it is not safe to put out a timeline until the public safety test has been met.

"This first sketch for schools must be immediately re-drawn, alongside unions and the profession."