Head teacher working from home as school hit by Covid outbreak
OUTBREAK of Covid-19 has been reported at a primary school, which remains open with safety measures in place.
Meadowvale Primary, in Market Harborough, confirmed in a letter to parents and carers it had suffered a “significant number” of positive Covid-19 cases in two of its school years.
Staff, including head teacher Liz Martin, have also tested positive, but exact numbers are not known.
In a letter which has been shared with the Mercury, Mrs Martin said the school was working with the health authority to minimise further spread of the virus.
“We have had a significant number of cases in years five and six (as well as other cases in the school) over the past few days and some staff, including myself, who have tested positive,” she said.
“I am currently well and working full days at home.
“We have been in contact with the local authority health protection team to carefully discuss the positive cases in school and to seek their advice about actions we need to take.”
The school has informed the parents of pupils in affected classes and urged them to take PCR tests and do daily lateral flow tests on the siblings of affected pupils.
School bubbles are also being introduced in a bid to minimise the spread of Covid-19.
The scale of cleaning has been increased since the outbreak,
PUPILS AND STAFF AFFECTED, BUT LESSONS CONTINUE AND CHRISTMAS EVENTS WILL STILL GO AHEAD
The school has limited mixing where possible, while staff are wearing masks in communal areas and testing regularly
including a “thorough clean of most of the affected classrooms in the middle of the day as well as the end of the day”.
The school has also limited mixing where possible, while staff are wearing masks in communal areas and testing regularly.
PE lessons have been moved outAN doors where possible. In her letter, Mrs Martin announced that despite the outbreak, the school’s planned Christmas events will still go ahead, in line with current guidelines from the Department for Education.
People attending must produce a negative lateral flow test taken 48 hours earlier and masks must be worn in the building at all times.
A two-metre gap between children and the audience must also be maintained throughout.
“We will plan to go ahead unless we are advised not to do so nearer the time and will of course keep you up to date,” said Mrs Martin.
Meadowvale confirmed it would continue to monitor the situation over the coming days as it liaises with the local authority health protection team daily.
“Thank you for your ongoing support during this challenging time,” added Mrs Martin.