A Scottish special school linked to 40 cases of the coronavirus is preparing to reopen on a phased basis from Monday, with pupils expected to return full-time before the October holidays.

Kingspark School in Dundee was closed on Wednesday 19 August  - exactly a week after pupils started returning to school in the city after lockdown and the summer break - following a coronavirus outbreak.

Now the local authority has revealed the school is gearing up to open its doors once again, with induction days to be held for staff and pupils next week, and a part-time timetable to be put in place from Monday 14 September.

It is expected that the school will be ready to open full-time before the end of term.

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Paul Clancy, director of children and families services at Dundee City Council, said: “We are carrying out close consultation with families and our colleagues in public health, as well as trade unions, health and safety and Tayside Contracts among others.

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“The safety of pupils, staff and everyone working in connection with the school is paramount. We need to ensure safe staffing numbers in Kingspark at all times.”

He added: “That is why we will be implementing a recovery plan that seeks to learn lessons from the outbreak and ensure that Kingspark School can reopen as safely as possible.

“We understand that families and staff may be anxious about this and that is why we are taking a gradual approach and will be taking every opportunity to explain the details to them.

“If anyone has any concerns, we will be happy to discuss them directly.”

The outbreak at Kingspark has affected 23 members of staff, three pupils and 14 community contacts.

Public health officials advised all members of staff and pupils to self-isolate for 14 days, and yesterday (Wednesday 2 September) was the last day of that period.

Dr Ellie Hothersall, an NHS Tayside public health consultant, said: “I would like to thank all staff and children at Kingspark School and their families for following the self-isolation advice, as this is so important in preventing further transmission of the virus in the community.”