PUPILS will be split into groups the size of classes or year groups when schools welcome everyone back in September.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson told the House of Commons about the new guidance published today for nurseries, schools and colleges about what is needed for the start of the next term.

Pupils will be grouped together in bubbles, with older pupils being asked to distance. Individual year groups will be attending school on separate days.

Testing will be made available - by the start of the autumn term, the government will provide all schools with a small number of home testing kits for people with symptoms who would struggle to access a testing centre.

Schools can contact their nearest Public Health England health protection team for advice if a case is confirmed.

If two pupils from a bubble test positive for coronavirus within 14 days, the rest of the group may have to be sent home.

Extra hand sanitising and regular cleaning will be enforced.

Mr Williamson said: "What schools have achieved to make sure children are kept safe and can continue to learn is remarkable and we are deeply grateful for those efforts.

"Every child has experienced an unprecedented disruption to their learning. Education recovery is critical for this generation of schoolchildren and for our national recovery.

"In these challenging times, we are committed to ensuring that the nation's children have not just a safe education but an excellent one.

"We understand the extra pressure on teaching staff to deliver a high standard of education in such a challenging period."