HUNDREDS of students facing key exams next summer have returned to schools for the first time in months.

Pupils in Years Ten and 12 are back in school and college as they prepare for GCSEs and A-levels next year.

The vast majority have been home learning since March because of the coronavirus outbreak.

But the Government’s bid to partially re-open secondary schools from this week will see youngsters across the Maldon district return to some form of normality.

Thurstable School, in Tiptree, will welcome back some 250 students in staggered small groups from this week across the school and sixth form college.

Headteacher Miles Bacon paid tribute to staff for making things work.

“We have groups of students in school for teaching in small groups in practical elements of the curriculum that we cannot teach online from Tuesday,” he said.

“Approximately a third of parents have preferred to keep their sons or daughters at home.

“We have tailored risk control documents, joining instructions and safe working in school rules for each individual activity in school.

“If we can’t teach a curriculum element online, it is very important that we do so in school.”

Mr Bacon added: “Like everyone else, our staff have faced their own personal and family challenges.

“They have been magnificent in ensuring that our students’ education has continued through this crisis.”