PARENTS waiting to hear how Borders schools will reopen have been told they will be sent details "as soon as possible".

This week First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced pupils would head back to the classroom from Tuesday, August 11.

Scottish Borders Council chief executive Tracey Logan has now issued a statement saying arrangements are being finalised.

She said: "It cannot be overestimated how challenging it is to put in place the necessary arrangements to ensure that we can deliver high quality learning in a safe environment for pupils and staff from this date.

“We have a significant number of pupils using school transport and fewer and smaller schools than urban areas, which all impact on how we can adapt our education arrangements.

"[This] will involve both in-school and home learning.

"As one example, a 72-seater coach can only transport 10 people with social distancing of two metres maintained.

"We absolutely appreciate that parents and carers will be wanting to know what the arrangements will look like for their children and young people and we will endeavour to provide that information as soon as possible."

Schools in the Borders have been shut since Easter.

But some pupils have been attending special hubs across the region.

Ms Logan added: “At this time I’d like to express my thanks to all the staff who have been supporting vulnerable children and the children of key workers in our childcare hubs.

"It is also important to recognise the staff who have been helping our young people learn from home through a variety of means and, of course, parents and carers who have been thrust into home-schooling.

"All your efforts will help to smooth the transition back to school.”