Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has revealed how teachers and pupils could begin to return to school, as part of the “gradual process” of easing coronavirus restrictions in the country.

In an address to the Scottish Parliament this afternoon, she said that teachers and other school staff would return during June, when they will prepare schools for the return of pupils.

Schools will reopen on 11 August, earlier than usual, although initially this will involve a blend of time in school with home learning.

There will be some “transition support” for children due to start primary or secondary school over the summer. Meanwhile, the hubs that have supported vulnerable pupils and the children of key workers will remain open over June and during the summer holidays.

Coronavirus: Scottish teachers want safety assurances before return

Reopening schools: How are other countries doing it?

When schools close: What’s life really like for pupils in lockdown?

From blazers to hoodies: Will Covid-19 change school uniform?

But the first minister also said: “I will absolutely give an assurance that we will only open schools when it is safe to do so.”

Ms Sturgeon spoke as the Scottish government published new reports on how schools and nurseries could emerge from lockdown. A report on reopening schools and nurseries states that “a blended model of in-school and at-home learning will ensure almost all children and young people have access to some face-to-face learning from August onwards”.

Coronavirus: Reopening schools in Scotland

The document published this afternoon states: “Children and young people due to transition into primary school and secondary school from August will be missing out on key elements of their transition while schools are closed.” It adds that “schools should consider whether they are able to offer a safe transition period for these children and young people towards the end of June”.

It also advises that “critical childcare provision, including hubs...will continue into the summer holiday period to support children and young people who benefit most from direct contact with education and care staff”.

While other parts of the UK have already started to loosen the lockdown, which was introduced back in March, the Scottish government has taken a more cautious approach.

Ms Sturgeon has already said restrictions could start to be eased from 28 May, when the lockdown is next due for review, but only if measures to suppress Covid-19 continue to be successful.

Speaking about the future lifting of restrictions, before making her address to Parliament, Ms Sturgeon stressed: “This will be a very gradual process as we monitor how changing behaviour affects the infection rate and we will only be able to move toward easing more restrictions if we continue to work together to suppress the virus.”

She added: “Protecting lives will continue to be our number one priority, and I am confident that people across Scotland will continue to pull together in this national endeavour as we return to some kind of normality.”

Ms Sturgeon said: “At all stages in this process, we have listened to the views of people and organisations in Scotland, and have been guided by the latest scientific advice, and that approach will continue going forward.”

She said that the route map the Scottish government was publishing was based on guidance set out by the World Health Organisation, as well as the experience of other countries as they have eased their lockdown, combined with “what we have learned about the impact of Covid-19 in Scotland”.