A ROMSEY school has revealed it has been a "mammoth task" setting up a mass testing facility in time for children's return to the classroom.

The Mountbatten School, Whitenap Lane, said their testing stations are now up and running and can process 600 tests a day in a bid to keep children safe from the deadly bug.

As part of Boris Johnson's roadmap out of lockdown, school and college students were able to head back into the classroom on Monday under the first step to ease coronavirus restrictions.

Secondary school pupils will be asked to take three voluntary COVID-19 tests onsite and one at home over the first fortnight - before being sent home-testing kits to do twice a week.

Associate headteacher at The Mountbatten School, Christopher Cox, stressed 1,349 (94 per cent) students took onsite Covid tests before the school opened its doors again.

He said: "Setting up a mass testing facility capable of performing and processing 600 tests a day was a mammoth task. However, staff responded magnificently and we were able to open the school to all students on 8 March.

"It was heart-warming to see so many happy children back in school, in lessons and eager to learn.”

Schools in other parts of Test Valley said the first week back has so far been positive, with plans to ease restrictions on the cards.

At Embley, West Wellow, the school plans to slowly reintroduce sports fixtures, trips and events after children engaged in more than 16,000 virtual lessons since January.

Headmaster, Cliff Canning, said: "It’s wonderful to have our whole community together in person once again.

"Teaching and learning have continued at pace since January at Embley, with over 16,000 virtual lessons and meetings in the first half of term, and pupils maintaining their planned course of learning during lockdown with the same direction, breadth and speed as we would expect in any other year.

"Over [the] coming months, we look forward to reintroduce fixtures, residentials, visits, workshops and school and community events and so much more."

Meanwhile, at Halterworth Community Primary School, Halterworth Lane, pupils have quickly adapted to learning in the classroom again, with some saying they have loved being reunited with classmates following weeks of home learning.

Head of school, Phil Thomas, said: "We could not be any prouder of the remarkable way that children across Halterworth have locked back into the routines and expectations of school life this week.

"In conversations I have had with pupils, they have told me that they have loved the chance to see their classmates again, to have more time to run around and play, and to be in the same actual space as more people involved in the same learning."

He added: "Their positive and pragmatic reflections on the current situation really stood out to me. Not once did I hear a child talking about how life was unfair for them, or how they had been disadvantaged by the situations in the country and the world.

"What I did hear was appreciation, gratitude, perspective... and a lot of joy."