This week will see pupils in Penarth return to school, as the autumn term begins.

Many of the town's primary schools reopened today, while Stanwell and St Cyres Schools will start welcoming students from tomorrow.

Victoria Primary School welcomed pupils back, saying "we hope that after the long holiday the children are well rested and ready to work hard and achieve their very best this academic year."

A letter to parents from Vale of Glamorgan Council Director of Learning and Skills Paula Ham explained how "only a minority of their classmates will be identified as close contacts" if a pupil tests positive for Covid-19.

"Test Trace Protect will ask questions designed to identify recent close contacts of your child, and for contact details - if you know them - of the individual or their parent/guardian. TTP will then get in touch with these close contacts to provide instructions or advice," she wrote.

"Those who are under 18 or fully vaccinated are no longer required to self-isolate if they are identified as close contacts. But they will be contacted to let them know that they've been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.

"They will also be offered two PCR tests and provided with information and advice on how to minimise the risks of onward spread. If your child is identified as a close contact, they can still attend school unless they develop symptoms or are advised otherwise by TTP. Please continue to let us know if your child tests positive."

The Welsh Government has also advised that school staff and secondary school pupils take rapid lateral flow tests twice a week and report the results online.

"We do expect that there will be cases of COVID-19 across our community over the coming weeks, but this does not mean that COVID-19 is spreading within the school. Please continue to be vigilant for symptoms," continued Paula Ham in the letter to parents and guardians.

"If you are in any doubt, order a PCR test for your child at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.

"We recognise how difficult the past 18 months have been and the sacrifices that all families have had to make."