Primary school parents on the Felixstowe peninsula have been told not to stop and have chat with each when they drop off their children next week.

While a handful of Suffolk primary schools are not expected to reopen their doors on June 1, many pupils at schools in Felixstowe and the surrounding villages will be back.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said from June 1, reception, year one and year six pupils would return to school after the coronavirus lockdown, joining the children of key workers who are already being taught.

Schools have been carrying out thorough risk assessments and cleaning in preparation for pupils to return and, on Thursday, Suffolk County Council's education team said it was expecting most of the county's primary schools to be in a position to open.

However, it has confirmed "one or two" schools have said they were not planning to open or needed a few more days.

Education chiefs are urging parents to make sure they do not loiter when picking up and dropping off their children to socialise.

Mary Evans, Suffolk County Council cabinet member for education, said: "Some people won't have seen each other for a while and they are used to having a good chat around the school gates, but I am afraid we cannot be doing that on Monday.

"People bringing their children in will have to drop them and then move away so that other parents can step into the playground.

"That is going to be hard for families which have not been able to see each other, but we need the parents to be setting the example."

According to the council, school transport is in place for next week, and additional PPE stocks were being delivered to schools to help ensure safety for pupils.

Schools that wish to secure more PPE are also able to purchase stocks through the county council's procurement channels.

Each school has made arrangements for social distancing and pupil and staff safety as much as possible, and education chiefs at the council said staff had worked "round the clock to make it happen".

However, it has been recognised that some parents will not feel able to allow their child to return just yet.

Mrs Evans said a letter had been sent to schools to pass on to parents, and more details would be available on the council website this weekend for them to make an informed decision.

She said: "This is a big decision for parents and families. We are putting basic information out this weekend so parents know where to look for the absolute information and then they know there won't be sanctions against them if they feel it is just too early for their child and family just now.

"We want people to have the confidence that our priority is the safety of children and staff, and we have done all we can with the schools to ensure that is as smooth a start to children coming back. Nobody has got to feel pressed into it."