MARCH 8 has been circled, underlined and even has massive asterisks around the date on our fridge calendar.

Home schooling, which has been fascinating and fun but also frustrating, can now be largely handed back to the professionals. Next Monday will be a hugely exciting date for many children and their families but this won’t be the case for all young people.

For many, it’s an opportunity to get back to some form of normality, catch up with friends and spend days away from home for the first time in two months. But there will be those who’ll be nervous about returning to school with the pandemic ongoing, and some will be worried about how well they’ve kept up with school work compared to peers, while others will be suffering the impacts of strained family relationships or bereavement.

For some older pupils, news around how exams will be evaluated and the prospect of choosing a university when the usual open days haven’t been possible may cause concern. It’s perfectly normal for children to have misgivings about returning to school, and important that we recognise that some may need extra support. For parents and carers this could mean asking how they feel about returning or looking out for changes in behaviour that could suggest anxiety. They may be withdrawn, tearful, quieter or losing appetite. In some cases children may suffer panic attacks, which can be frightening for them and those around them.

Talking to children about how they feel lets them know they’re not alone. If there’s something you don’t know how to respond to, be honest and let them know you’ll find out if you can. And whilst we help children prepare for the return to school, resources need to be in place to support the mental wellbeing of children who face navigating these unprecedented times. Whilst funding for educational catch-up is hugely important, we know from calls to Childline that children also need help to recover from the harm some have experienced behind closed doors.

It is vitally important that the Government recognises this by putting emotional and mental health support at the heart of its educational catch-up plans. There also needs to be significant investment in long-term recovery prioritising children’s social care and further funding for early years help for babies and families.

Those are the priorities for the Government on a return to school. For us as parents and carers, it’s important that we reassure our children. Let them know we understand their concerns and validate them. That it’s okay to talk about their trepidation. If they feel they can’t talk to you or another trusted adult Childline is here. Sometimes it’s easier for them to talk things through with someone anonymously first. They can call free on 0800 11 11 or visit childline.org.uk