Basingstoke schools brace for staggered return Schools in Basingstoke are preparing for a month of staggered return of students following a decision by the government’s latest coronavirus announcement. Primary schools are still set to open next week but secondary school pupils in exam years are now due to return to education settings in the week beginning January 11. All secondary school and college students will return full time on January 18. Reacting to the news, Chris Edwards, headteacher of Brighton Hill Community College in Basingstoke, said the reopening plans were largely expected. Mr. Edwards told Gazette: “We are completely committed to making them work. All schools in Basingstoke and Deane have worked incredibly hard to make their communities as Covid-safe as possible and we will continue to do so.”