HUNDREDS of schools across the county began welcoming back more pupils on Monday as part of the government’s plan to ease lockdown measures.

Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 started returning to classrooms on Monday (June 1), with 246 primaries, including academies, in Gloucestershire taking part in the wider reopening.

The decision over whether to send children back to school was left to parents, with many choosing to keep their children at home.

Zoe Hopkins from Dursley, whose children went back on Monday, said that despite some reservations, the return had gone really well.

Her five-year-old son Leo joined his reception class at Cam Hopton School, and daughter Isla, three, went back to Hopton House Play School.

“There was lots of build up to the return to school, and there’s been some anxiety all round for sure,” said Zoe.

“So it was lovely to get home from work on Monday to find they’d both had the best day and were looking forward to going back the next day.

“Thanks so much to all the teachers and staff at Cam Hopton School and Hopton House Play School for keeping our kids safe and for keeping it fun.”

Under ordinary circumstances, parents can be fined £60 for refusing to send their child to school, but the rules have been revised for those who are concerned about safety during the coronavirus outbreak. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has confirmed that there will be no penalty for families who do not send their children to school from June 1.