New infections are reported in our schools

■A DERBYSHIRE secondary school told three year groups to stay at home again yesterday.

Ecclesbourne School, in Duffield, contacted parents and carers on Thursday to inform them of further confirmed cases of Covid-19 at the school. As a precautionary measure, all students in the affected year groups, year 9, 10 and 12, were told to not attend school.

As yesterday was the final day before half-term, pupils in the affected year groups will return in early November.

A letter, was sent to parents and carers on Thursday. It reads: “The school has been notified that there are further confirmed cases of Covid-19 at our school. We are working with Public Health England and the DfE and we are acting on their advice and guidance. “As an immediate precautionary measure, all students in the affected year groups, year 9, 10 and 12, should remain at home tomorrow and should not attend school.

■John Flamsteed Community School, in Denby, has announced that there has been a confirmed case of Covid-19 within one of its year 11 student ‘bubbles’.

The small number of children who have been in direct prolonged contact with the confirmed case have received an individual phone call and letter and will be staying at home for a period of self-isolation.

A letter, sent to parents and carers yesterday, reads: “We have been advised by Public Health England that there has been a confirmed case of Covid-19 within one of our Year 11 student ‘bubbles’.

“We know that you may find this concerning but are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England. This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (Covid-19) will be a mild illness. The small number of children who have been in direct prolonged contact with the confirmed case will have received an individual phone call and letter and will be staying at home for a period of isolation.”

■Forty-nine pupils at Paulet High School, in Stapenhill, many of whom are in year 11, are self-isolating after two classmates tested positive for coronavirus. They will stay at home until Thursday, October 29.

The school has revealed a pupil received a positive test result on Sunday, before another tested positive on Thursday.

Between them, the two cases have led to dozens of pupils having to selfisolate.