SCHOOLCHILDREN will be expected to return to their classrooms after the Christmas break despite rising Covid cases as Omicron sweeps the country.

Essex County Council says it will only consider issuing guidance for schools to pivot to remote learning in a ‘worst case scenario,’ although it remains unclear how that is defined.

In a move to slow the spread of the virus, all returning secondary pupils will be tested following the holidays.

Katie Scarnell, headteacher at Greensward Academy in Hockley, says she and her staff “are completely ready for whatever January brings”.

“We are set up and ready for testing for all of the students when they return,” she said. “If worst comes to the worst and we are back to remote learning, we are equally as prepared for that. Whatever eventuality is thrown at us we will be ready.”

A spokesperson for Essex County Council said: “Schools across Essex have continued to deliver online learning throughout the autumn term for children who have tested positive for Covid-19 and are therefore unable to attend school. Schools are well prepared for the move to online learning should the worst happen and this be absolutely necessary.

“All secondary school pupils will be tested for Covid-19 on site prior to starting back at school in January and we are encouraging all households to continue to test regularly, both during the Christmas holidays and prior to the start of the new term.”

Yesterday, Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi called on school leaders to encourage ex-teachers “to sign up” to help with Covid-19 staff shortages.

In an email to heads, the minister said the Government was looking at what measures to put in place “to boost supply capacity”, adding that Department for Education officials have begun to discuss plans with key stakeholders.

And teachers weren’t the only ones being kept from school by the virus.

The latest Government figures suggest that 2.9 per cent of all pupils – nearly 236,000 children – were not in class for reasons connected to coronavirus on December 9.

This was up from 208,000 children, or 2.6 per cent of all pupils, on November 25.