THE region's schools are beginning to reopen from today after several weeks of closure due to the third national lockdown.

Primary and secondary schools across England are reopening to all pupils as fresh guidance ahead of pupils' return has been published.

We've put together what parents and carers need to know as pupils start their return to the classroom. 

All pupils will be required to return to class

New rules in place from today (March 8) sees all children and students required to return to school or college, with attendance mandatory from this date.

SEE MORE: Can you be fined for not sending your child back to school from today?

Provided your child does not need to self-isolate, or has not tested positive for Covid, parents will have a legal duty to ensure their child gets to school.

It means unless you have a valid reason to keep your child from school, you could face fines from your school or local authority.

Schools to continue remote learning if your child tests positive 

If your child tests positive for Covid, or has to self-isolate because of a close contact, your school should provide resources through remote learning during this time.

The guidance states: "We expect schools and colleges to actively encourage your child to attend if they consider them to be vulnerable. They should provide remote learning for those who are not attending."

New rules on face coverings for pupils and staff in place

The guidance has been amended to reflect the return of pupils, but the rules for primary and secondary school pupils remains largely the same with some exceptions.

In primary schools, it is recommended that face coverings should be worn by staff and adult visitors in situations where social distancing between adults is not possible.

Children in primary school do not need to wear a face covering.

In secondary schools and colleges, face coverings should be worn by staff and pupils when moving around the premises, outside of classrooms, such as in corridors and communal areas where social distancing cannot easily be maintained.

Face coverings do not need to be worn by pupils when outdoors on the premises - it is also now recommended that face coverings should be worn in classrooms and during activities unless social distancing can be maintained.

This does not apply in situations where wearing a face covering would impact on the ability to take part in exercise, for example PE.

Secondary school students to get home Covid test kits

From today, all secondary school pupils will be encouraged to take part in regular Covid testing with tests to be done twice per week.

The guidance states that all secondary pupils and college students will be given home test kits and asked to report results to NHS Test and Trace, and to the school or college.

If your child is aged 11 and attending a secondary school, an adult should conduct the test. 

If your child is aged 12 to 17, they will need adult supervision to self-test and report the results to the relevant teams.

Covid testing is not mandatory, but strongly encouraged

The guidance states that testing is voluntary and your child will not be tested unless appropriate consent is in place. 

It also states that children should not be stopped by a school or college from attending class if they choose not to take part.

But the guidance strongly encourages families to take part in testing to "break chains" of transmission as schools return.

Family members of pupils can get routine Covid tests

From today, all adults in households will children of school age can access regular rapid Covid testing, even if they don't have symptoms. 

Family members of the same household, childcare or support bubble will be offered home test kits twice a week.

Test kits will be given through an employer, if they offer testing to employees, through collection from a local test site, or online as a last resort.

The guidance states that family members can also have a test done at a local test site.