A head teacher has said staff at his school will be offered the same level of PPE as nurses when children return later this month.

In a letter to parents, Howard Fisher, of St George's Primary School on Sheppey, wrote: "Staff will be wearing PPE - a face covering, an apron and gloves.

"The government does not believe this is required, however I feel we need to protect each other just as we protected our nurses. It is also common practice in Europe."

He has since clarified to KentOnline that staff will have the option to wear the full PPE or not.

Mr Fisher says the school, which has remained open for children of key workers, will slowly welcome other youngsters back throughout June – despite some schools across the county already reopening for Reception, Year 1 and 6 pupils this week.

He said results from a parent survey "clearly" showed most of them did not want their children to return yet, with just 15% agreeing it was the right time.

"We can only do what the government suggests and social distancing in school is a myth, despite our best endeavours," he added.

"There will be no fines, comeback or penalties if you do not want your child coming back just yet.

"Personally, you know my feelings on the matter, I believe it is too soon. But I do recognise that some parents have very little alternative and it is not fair to make anyone feel guilty for the choices they make; hence the offer being made. The choice, of course, is yours to take."

In the letter, Mr Fisher shared a number of rules parents and pupils need to follow as part of his measures to reopen.

This week, he said, staff will be going in for training on the new school layout, how to work in isolation with groups and PPE usage.

Next week, the school will be welcoming back any Year 6 pupils that wish to return in bubbles of eight, with one adult working with them.

The following week - from June 15 - it will welcome back any Year 1 and Reception pupils, and from June 22, it will welcome back any Year 5 pupils. All youngsters will be put in bubbles of eight.

Mr Fisher has given parents the choice as to whether their child will wear a face covering or not when they return.

"As a parent, you are welcome to send your child in with or without a face covering, this is your choice," he said. "The government does not recommend it, but I strongly feel that this is your choice at the moment and most countries around the world are doing this."

He added: "If you choose to send your child in with a face covering, please talk to them about how to put it on as we would not be able to assist."

As part of the new rules, the school, in Chequers Road, Minster, will be closed every Friday so that it can be deep cleaned and so teachers can catch up with home learning and plan their lessons.

All of these changes will be in place until the end of the school year in July.

"Things may change in September, we will see what the science says and it is a long journey," Mr Fisher said.

He also warned that if the 'R' number, the rate of infection, started to climb, the school would consider closing back down.

If a pupil does show symptoms, Mr Fisher added, they will be isolated until their parent can pick them up.

"We have an isolation room allocated in the school," he said. "We will follow guidance on this, as it may involve all pupils being sent home if necessary to deep clean.

"Our cleaning team hours have been re-arranged and we have someone on site cleaning in shifts all day."

Mr Fisher also shared pictures of what the classrooms will look like at the school when children return in the coming weeks.

"Classrooms will look very different," he said. "They are very bare and children will sit in very isolated spaces throughout the day."

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