As many children across Cornwall prepare to return to school from today they are being given a very specific message: “Don’t burst my bubble!”

Cornwall Council has launched a campaign to try and explain social distancing to young children as they go back to class for the first time since before Easter.

From this week Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 children will be able to return to school but will have to follow social distancing guidelines.

There is no obligation for parents to send their children to school and the council has previously said there will be no fines for those that choose to keep their children at home.

Read more: Parents who keep kids off school will not be fined, says council

The Don’t Burst My Bubble campaign materials have been sent out to schools by Cornwall Council and feature brightly coloured pictures showing children in bubbles.

It aims to show young children how much space they should try and keep between themselves and other people when at school.

Cornwall Council Cabinet member for children, Sally Hawken, said: “Everyone is aware that life is different now and although this may be just another phase of the pandemic, we need to make sure children understand what social distancing is.

“We have to strike a balance between helping children understand why these measures are in place and that it isn’t their fault; these measures are to keep everyone safe.  A concept of a bubble is easy to understand, and the graphics are friendly and approachable.

“Because each school is different, the bubble concept could be used for an individual pupil or it could include a small number of other children. The important thing is that children don’t burst it.”

Schools across Cornwall have modified working practices, teaching spaces, timetables and conducted thorough risk assessments to ensure it is safe for them to extend their offer.

Each school is doing something different and parents are urged to contact their head teacher for more information or to discuss any issues or concerns.

Advice has been issued by the government on how schools should operate. This includes:

- Sitting children at desks that are far apart.

- Ensuring everyone queues and eats further apart than normal.

- Visiting the toilet one after the other.

- Putting guidelines on the floor in corridors.

- Avoiding unnecessary staff gatherings.

Cllr Hawken added: “Schools are going to look very different places to the one these children left in March, but I know teachers have been going above and beyond to help children prepare.  This has been a real team effort with schools, academies, teachers, staff and Together for Families, working hard to support each other.”