SECONDARY school pupils in Sussex will return later than planned from their Christmas holidays following a rise in Covid cases.

The government announced that secondary school pupils who are taking exams this year will go back to school on January 11, while those not taking exams will follow a week later.

The announcement was made by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson in the House of Commons this afternoon, marking a U-turn on initial plans for a staggered reopening of schools.

The Argus: Education Secretary Gavin WilliamsonEducation Secretary Gavin Williamson

He told MPs that these measures had been taken as the "Covid infection rate is particularly high among this (secondary) age group".

"We are going to allow more time so that every school and college is able to fully roll out testing for all of their pupils and staff," he said.

"This kind of mass testing will help protect not just children and young people - it will benefit everyone in the community.

"It will break those chains of transmission that are making infection rates shoot up.

"This, in turn, will make it safer for more children to physically return to school.

"All pupils in exam years are to return during the week beginning January 11, with all secondary schools and college students returning full time on January 18.

"During the first week of term - on or after January 4 - secondary schools and colleges will prepare to test as many staff and students as possible, and will only be open to vulnerable children or the children of key workers.

The Argus: Secondary schools will return later than planned, but primary schools are set to return next week in most areasSecondary schools will return later than planned, but primary schools are set to return next week in most areas

"The 1,500 military personnel committed to supporting schools and colleges will remain on task, providing virtual training and advice on establishing the testing process, with teams on standby to provide in-person support if required by schools.

"Testing will then begin the following week in earnest, with those who are in exam years at the head of the queue.

"This is in preparation for the full return of all year groups on January 18 in most areas.

"To allow this focus on establishing testing, throughout the first week of term, exam year groups will continue to have lessons remotely in line with what they would receive in class, and only vulnerable children and children of critical workers will have face-to-face teaching."