Secondary schools are being encouraged to hold face-to-face meetings with students in all year groups before the end of term.

New Department for Education guidance states that secondaries can use these meetings to “check in on pupils and ensure they are supported” before they return to school in September, leave for employment or start the next stage of their education.

However, the DfE says it is not asking secondary schools with capacity to invite further year groups - in addition to Years 10 and 12 - to return this term.

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The guidance states: “We know that secondary schools are keen to invite pupils in other year groups in for a face-to-face meeting before the end of this term, where it would be beneficial.

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“As long as this happens in line with this and wider protective measures guidance, and guidance on the numbers of pupils permitted on site at any one time, we would encourage this where possible.

“This time can be used to check in on pupils, and ensure they are supported before a return to school from September or moving into employment or the next stage of education.”

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said he was “pleased that the government has listened to our suggestion that all schools and colleges should be able to invite pupils in for a one-off ‘check-in’ session before the end of term”.

“This will help teachers to get a clearer sense of how pupils have found learning from home, to check on their wellbeing, and to plan further teaching,” he added.

“However, these changes do not make up for the lack of a long-term, strategic plan for education over the coming months.

“What we really need is the government to join with the profession, as a matter of urgency, in developing a national plan to bring more children back to school as soon as possible, and provide support to help children catch up with missed learning. We need a coherent strategy both for the immediate future and beyond.”