Special school closes after ‘outbreak’ of coronavirus
A CITY special school closed after a coronavirus “outbreak”.
Ellesmere College closed a bubble on Wednesday after confirming its fourth case. A text message was sent to parents of primary age pupils asking them to self-isolate.
The school’s Twitter account was updated at lunchtime on Thursday to say there had been an “outbreak of Covid-19” and, as a result, the whole school would be closed for the rest of the week.
“We are working extremely closely with Public Health England to ensure a safe reopening,” the tweet stated.
“We will keep parents informed when we have more detailed information of when each child is able to return to school. Thank you once again for your patience and understanding. Stay safe.”
The school’s head teacher gave an insight into the situation when she tweeted: “After an impossible day, trying to keep our whole community safe, ALL parents should have received an email explaining our situation and letting them know if their child’s class is open for the rest of the week.”
Earlier in the week, a letter was sent home to parents explaining that a member of staff at the Braunstone Lane school, in Rowley Fields, which has 306 students from early years to post-16 with special educational needs, had tested positive for coronavirus.
The staff member had not been in contact with pupils.
The same letter revealed some classes were being asked to stay at home because of staff shortages and not to self-isolate.
Post-16 pupils, who were selfisolating, were expected back at school on Monday, September 21.
More than 50 city and county schools have now confirmed coronavirus cases since the start of the new school year.