NICOLA Sturgeon hopes some school pupils will be able to return to classrooms by the end of February.

In the Scottish Parliament today (Tuesday, February 2), the First Minister gave an update on the government's coronavirus lockdown plans.

She said the existing restrictions, including the 'stay at home' law, will remain in place until at least the end of February.

But on the subject of schools returning, Ms Sturgeon said her cabinet hopes that some pupils will be back in classrooms by late February.

She said: "If we all do agree to abide by the lockdown restrictions a bit longer, we can begin a phased - albeit gradual - return to school by February 22."

It is the Scottish Government’s intention that there will be a full-time return to learning environments for all children below school age. 

Ms Sturgeon also outlined plans for a full-time return for pupils in P1-3. 

There will be a part-time return, “albeit on a limited basis”, for senior-phase pupils in secondary education to allow the completion of practical work for national qualification courses.

Ms Sturgeon said that the return for senior-phase pupils would see only five to eight per cent of the capacity of secondary schools present at “any one time”. 

The First Minister also announced changes to testing for those involved in the education sector. 

Those working in schools, and early learning and childcare settings will be offered regular at-home testing twice a week. 

Pupils in the senior-phase of secondary school will be offered this too. 

Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish Government is trying to “use every inch of headroom we have to get children back to school, even if that means adults living with restrictions for longer”. 

Ms Sturgeon said that these proposed changes will be reviewed in two weeks - so could be altered. 

She added that initial plans for a return to in-person learning for college and university students would also be discussed at the review in a fortnight.