HATHERSHAW College has welcomed back Year 10 pupils - aged between 14 and 15 - from Monday.

During the period of lockdown, the school has only been closed on bank holidays and weekends.

The school in Bellfield avenue has been open at all other times, even during holiday periods, for the children of key workers and those who have needed extra support.

Principal, Mark Giles said: “The enforced school closure has been a difficult period for everyone.

"The best place for children is always in school, as long as it is safe for them and the staff.

"I am delighted that we have got this opportunity to have some more students back in the building before September, helping them to catch-up for exams next year. "The teachers have done an excellent job with remote learning, but it’s not the same as having children in front of you in a classroom.

"In addition, pastoral and other support staff have maintained weekly contact with students and their parents or carers to make sure that they are all right.”

The school will be open to a quarter of Year 10 students each day, with a focus on maths and English, with some additional support for science, design and technology, geography and history on Fridays.

Senior leaders are now awaiting guidance from the government about what September will look like and any packages of support for students to catch-up.

Oldham Council has said the decision as to when and how schools in the town would reopen would left to headteachers.

According to Hathershaw College 160 of the 220 pupils in Year 10 have attended school.

The town hall has also said that parents who kept their children at home for safety reasons would not face legal action over non attendance.