Robert said: "Education is vital to every child's development - and nothing will have a greater effect on improving the life chances of our children than them returning to school. That is why it is so important to ensure pupils return to the classroom this week.

"I pay tribute to the teachers and other school staff across West Oxfordshire who have spent the summer months working tirelessly to make classrooms safe for a full return of pupils in September.

" As the Chief Medical Officer has said, as the risk of contracting Coronavirus in school is very small, it is far more damaging for a child’s development, their health and well-being to be away from school for any longer.

"I have been engaging closely with Oxfordshire County Council and have written to every headteacher in West Oxfordshire to offer any assistance I can in advance of the return to school. I would like to once again thank everyone involved in the return for all their hard work over recent weeks.

"For more information on the changes and safety measures in place at schools, please visit: www.gov.uk/backtoschool"