We tour St Roch's Secondary ahead of schools reopening on Monday

At St Roch's Secondary, staff have prepared a "soft start" to ease youngsters back into class after more than two months away.

In response to the Scottish Government accelerating plans to move out of lockdown, each school has created an individual timetable that suits its pupils best.

Pupils wearing face coverings in a language class at St Roch's secondary school Picture: Colin Mearns

Stephen Stone, head teacher at St Roch's gave the Glasgow Times insight into what his school is doing to ensure pupils are safe as they return to face-to-face learning.

The Royston secondary plans to have all pupils in school every day - but social distancing rules limit how many young people can be in at once.

In response, the day will be split so that the oldest pupils are in first thing in the morning, S3 will come in during the middle of the day while S1 and S2 will be in last.

A St Roch's secondary school pupil walks past a poster reminding people to stay distanced and to wash their hands Picture: Colin Mearns

Stephen said: "The overall premise for us is that all pupils are going to be in school every day, not for all of the day, but for part of the day.

"I know that not all schools are adopting the same approach as us and quite rightly too, they'll all find an approach that works in their context."

Year groups will be divided into smaller sections of classes with nine or 10 pupils.

Languages principal teacher Valerie Pellarin teaching S4, S5 and S6 pupils Picture: Colin Mearns

Areas of the building have been set up as "flexizones" that allow teachers to bring full sized classes together.

So, the dining hall, library and one of the gym halls have been set up as socially distanced classrooms for use if needed.

Stephen said pupils have been well prepared for the changes, with letters going home this week and the new set up explained in virtual assemblies throughout the week.

Pupils of all ages will have to wear masks at all time, but they will only be in school for 90 minutes so this is not expected to cause problems.

Principal teacher Valerie Pellarin teaching S4, S5 and S6 pupils Picture: Colin Mearns

Schools are reopening to all pupils for two weeks until term finished on April 1.

It had initially been announced that those in S1 to S3 would not return to school until April.

But Nicola Sturgeon then said all secondary pupils will have some in-school time before the Easter holidays, although in some local authorities this will be as little as one half day per week.

Stephen said: "It's the best experience that we're able to deliver for our pupils in that short space of time given the constraints of two metre social distancing.

"When pupils come in we'll have some lesson starters that are soft start approaches to ease the pupils back in."

During the time the school was shut, the head teacher said, pastoral care teams were working to ensure families were supported.

St Roch's secondary school pupils walk past a sign reminding people to stay distanced Picture: Colin Mearns

The school also has a strong community spirit and abides by its motto of Help Others.

Stephen added: "Help Others is what underpins us, both in school and out of school, and that has helped to sustain us over the past year.

"There will be anxiety and apprehension about having been out of school for quite some time but even after summer holidays there is that feeling.

"A big part of what we do next week is about welcoming them back in and giving them a good, enjoyable start and hopefully they will have a feeling of, 'I'm really glad to be back in here'."