Entire school year group will not return until the new year
AN entire year group at a Derby secondary school has been told to study from home.
Pupils in Year 9 at Littleover Community School have moved to online learning after a number of Covid-19 cases were recorded in the year group.
The period of home learning will last two weeks, meaning the students will not return to the Pastures Hill school until Monday, January 4.
A letter to parents and carers written by acting head teacher Jon Wilding was posted on the school’s website to confirm the news.
In the letter, posted on Friday, Mr Wilding writes: “We do understand that this news may be worrying and disappointing, particularly given
that Year 9 had only recently returned to school after a period of home learning.
“I apologise for the disruption this
causes, but please be assured that this is not a decision that has been taken lightly and that the safety of all our students, staff and school community as a whole is our utmost priority.
“While some students in Year 9 have not tested positive or been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, it is clear that there is significant transmission of coronavirus within the year group and home learning is the most effective way to prevent further cases.”
Mr Wilding wrote that the rest of the school remains open as normal. He added: “Littleover is, unfortunately, experiencing a high rate of coronavirus cases as a community, so it is vital that we follow guidelines to keep ourselves and others safe.”
Elsewhere, the City of Derby Academy, in Sinfin, has confirmed two further cases of Covid-19 among two pupils in year 8 and year 9.
The school has told a number of students who have been in close contact with the infected pupils to self-isolate.