THURROCK Council has released a new video with easy to understand guidance for parents and secondary school pupils as many return to school for the first time in months.

The video features secondary school age pupils and head-teachers from some of the borough's schools and has been created to help pupils and their parents get ready for the new term.

Cllr Andrew Jefferies, Cabinet Member for Education, said: "I recommend that parents and secondary school pupils sit down and watch this excellent video together before the start of the new term next week. It tells pupils what to expect and gives them the advice they need to make a safe and worry-free return to school.

"Thurrock Council has been supporting secondary schools as they prepare to open their gates to all pupils for the first time since March, and I know that teachers and staff have been working incredibly hard to make sure that our secondary schools can reopen safely.

"I have spoken with many of them in recent weeks and once again I have been impressed by the hard work and dedication they have shown in making sure secondary schools are ready for the new term. They have truly put the safety and well-being of pupils first in every decision they have made.

"This is a huge step on our journey to the new normal and I know that many pupils will be looking forward to getting back into their routine, meeting up with friends and embarking on an exciting new term."