FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed when the next set of children will return to classrooms as coronavirus lockdown measures continue to ease. 

Ms Sturgeon made the announcement in the Scottish Parliament at 2.20pm today (Tuesday, March 2).

The First Minister confirmed that P4-P7 children will be the next to return to schools from March 15 on a full-time basis.

Ms Sturgeon also announced that she expects all secondary children to be back full-time after the Easter holidays. 

Before the Easter break, the First Minister says there will be a phased return for secondary pupils with all children receiving some form of in-school teaching up until the holidays. 

S4-S6 will be the priority for face to face lessons, says Ms Sturgeon. 

The phased return for secondary pupils will allow students to get used to being back in school as well as allowing them to see their friends again, according to the First Minister.

Ms Sturgeon - who confirmed that face coverings would have to be worn “at all times” by secondary pupils when they return after the Easter break - said a phased return was a “frustrating” but “necessary” measure. 

Regarding the easing of restrictions, she added: “If we can go further and faster, we will not hesitate to do so.

“Stick with it, stick together and stay at home.”

Children in P1-P3 were the first to return to the classroom last week. 

Ms Sturgeon says those age groups will continue to be monitored, although it is too early to be certain about the effects of the return.