Secondary schools in Godalming will reopen a week later than anticipated when pupils return after the Christmas holidays.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has announced in the Commons that pupils' return will be delayed by a week. The move is to allow schools to roll out a testing programme for all their pupils in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus, which is transmitted at a much higher rate among children of secondary school age. Staff will also be tested on site.

Students in years 11 and 13, who face GCSE and A-level exams in the summer, will head back to class during the week beginning 11th January, with the other years returning the following week.

The week-long closure from January 4th will allow staff to prepare for the tests, and receive online training from military personnel, who will be on standby to help if required, he said.

Vulnerable children and the children of key workers will also be allowed back to schools and colleges next week.

While most primary schools will reopen on January 4th as originally planned, in some Tier Four areas where Covid infections are rising fast, they will be open only to children of key workers and for those deemed vulnerable. The Government will publish a list of those schools later today.