SHOES are polished, bags are packed and the excitement is building as Glasgow schools prepare to welcome 5000 new primary one pupils.

Teachers across the city have been organising their classrooms to be covid-safe ahead of the return today of children and young people to primary, secondary and ASL schools.

For St Charles' Primary in the West End today is extra special as it will open its doors to two sets of P1s - their own and those starting at North Kelvinside Primary.

Building delays caused by coronavirus restrictions mean Glasgow's newest primary school is running six months behind schedule.

The new school's first class will instead be located in St Charles' until March next year.

St Charles' head teacher Elaine Ross said: "We’re delighted to be welcoming our new friends from North Kelvinside Primary while they wait for their new school building to be completed.

"The staff from the two schools have been getting to know each other during the in-service days and we can’t wait for the children to start next week.

"Some of the children already know each other from the local nurseries so they are looking forward to seeing each other in school."

Education bosses said the move will help cut disruption to the youngest children.

The North Kelvinside P1 class will have its own head teacher based in St Charles' in preparation for the move to the new school building.

Glasgow Times: North Kelvinside new Primary Ones from left Clark Rainey (5), Freya Branigan (4), Rumor Doohan (5) and Leif Norbury (5) at St Charles Primary  Picture: Gordon Terris

Cadder, Caldercuilt, Kelvindale, Parkview, Highpark, Dunard, Saracen, Oakgrove and Royston primaries were all involved in the catchment consultation for the new Maryhill school.

When finished, the new school building will include 12 classrooms, various break-out spaces, a multi-purpose games and assembly hall, a drama space, a nurture room and a meeting room as well as staff and support spaces.

There will be an 11-a-side all-weather pitch and an external multi-use games area that will both be available for community use outwith school hours.

Ahead of the start of the new school year Maureen McKenna, the executive director for education, sent out a detailed letter to parents letting them know what Covid-19 measures will be in place.

Following significant changes to coronavirus safety measures by the Scottish Government, whole classes will now not be asked to routinely self-isolate if someone in the class tests positive for Covid-19.

Schools will no longer be involved in contact tracing and this will now be done by Test and Protect.

Restrictions on drama, PE, music and dance will now be lifted

Face masks will continue to be worn in schools for at least the first six weeks of term and should "always" be worn indoor by staff and pupils aged 12 and over.

Maureen said: "This has been an extremely tough and challenging year and I would once again like to take this opportunity to thank you and your family for your resilience and support as we've navigated through this time.

"It is now time for our schools and nurseries to do what they do best and continue to support Glasgow's children, young people and their families as we reconnect and recover from the pandemic and look forward to a much brighter future together."