Cornwall Council says that it is too early to say whether staff absences due to Covid will have an impact on schools in Cornwall.

With children returning to classrooms this week the council has said that it is advising all schools across the county to follow the latest Government guidelines to ensure that children and staff are safe.

New regulations issued by the Government mean that in secondary schools children are required to wear masks when moving around school and also when in class.

Schools are also being encouraged to offer testing for all students – some schools in Cornwall have set up testing sessions for students before they return to class.

Penrice Academy in St Austell said that it was one of a small number of schools which have been provided with PCR tests for students to ensure the accuracy of testing.

The secondary school is providing online lessons for students on Wednesday and Thursday this week before students return to classrooms on Friday. This has enabled the school to hold testing sessions for students today, tomorrow and Thursday.

In a statement on its website Penrice Academy said: “Ahead of students’ return to school in January, the Department for Education have requested that all secondary schools test students in person, with the aim to reduce transmission and increase testing uptake.

“We are one of a small number of schools that have been able to secure PCR tests for our students to further improve the accuracy of our testing programme.

“Testing remains voluntary, but we would strongly encourage all students to come into school for tests to help keep our community as safe as possible.”

Cornwall Council said that it would continue to offer advice for all schools and monitor staff and pupil absence due to Covid.

In a statement the council said: “It is too early to say if there is any impact on staffing levels at schools.

“We are encouraging schools and other education settings to follow the latest government guidance, ie wear masks in classrooms and communal areas in secondary schools, test before returning to school and then twice a week with LFTs, and ensure premises have good ventilation and hand hygiene measures.

“We continue to offer support and advice on dealing with Covid, as we have done throughout the pandemic. We are supporting schools with access to UKHSA guidance to help manage any increase in cases and have dedicated support available in the event of any outbreaks, clusters or situations requiring specific advice using risk assessments and contingency frameworks.

“We have a system in place to monitor staff and pupil absence for secondary schools in support of maintaining a safe environment to continue face-to-face learning.”