PLANS for next week's phased return to school for county youngsters are beginning to be revealed - with some pupils not returning to school until next Friday (August 14).

The soft start will mean all students will not be back in class full-time in East Lothian until Monday, August 17.

At Musselburgh Grammar School, headteacher Colin Gerrie said S1 and S5/6 students would be back on Wednesday, August 12, for a return-to-school induction and timetables to be issued.

On Thursday, August 13, it will be the turn of S2/3 to attend for the induction and on Friday, August 14, S1 and S4 will be in school with S6 students back from period three onwards.

On Monday, August 17, all Musselburgh Grammar School pupils will return full-time.

Mr Gerrie said more details about what would be expected as schools resumed would be sent to parents on Friday.

In a letter to parents and carers he said there were two reasons East Lothian school's had opted for the phased return – ensuring the health and safety of all students and staff and supporting their wellbeing.

He said: “A phased return will allow each year group to have an induction which will explain new systems to students and ensure they feel confident, secure and safe with the return to school.

“We believe that a phased return, with an induction, will offer us the opportunity to re-connect with our students in a supportive and smaller scale setting.

“It is also important that our new S1 students have the opportunity to have a transition experience.”

Dunbar Grammar School, Ross High School, Knox Academy and North Berwick High School are following the same phased return pattern for their pupils.

All four schools will welcome back S4/5/6 pupils on Wednesday, August 12, for a return-to-school induction and to collect timetables.

On Thursday, August 13, S1 pupils will have a transition day at the schools, supported by S6s, which will include tours of the school and meeting staff.

S2/3s return on Friday, August 14, for the induction and collection of timetables and all pupils are expected to be back on Monday, August 17.

Preston Lodge High School, Prestonpans, has not yet confirmed its phased return timetable although it is expected to follow the same plan as the majority of the secondary schools.