Classes sent home as Covid tests ‘positive’
CLASSES from two Southport high schools were sent home after students tested positive for Covid-19.
The entire Year 11 and some pupils in Year 9 were sent home from Stanley High School on Monday morning, while one of the Year 7 classes at Greenbank High School were also asked to self-isolate.
Those from Stanley High’s Year 11 class were initially asked to continue their work from home as a ‘precautionary measure’ to prevent any further spread of the virus.
According to an email sent out to parents, anyone who may have been in class or close contact with the affected pupil last Thursday or Friday would be informed in due course and required to self-isolate for 14 days.
Meanwhile, the Year 9 pupil who contracted the virus had not been in school for much of the previous week and those staff or pupils considered to have been in close contact were directly informed.
At Greenbank High in Birkdale, one Year 7 class was advised to selfisolate and those pupils are being asked to continue their schoolwork remotely.
The positive tests came just one day before strict new local lockdown measures were to be implemented across Merseyside and most of Lancashire.
In a a post on Facebook, a spokesman for Stanley said that it felt “inevitable” to be bringing news of positive tests.
In an email to parents, headteacher Neil Moore said: “This morning we received contact to say that a Stanley High School student has tested positive for Covid-19 in Year 11. Following guidance from the DfE we have asked all Year 11 to continue working from home today.
“This is a precautionary measure and a decision made to ensure no further chains of passing the virus can take place. Later on today we will inform parents and carers of Year 11 of the potential classes and areas where close contact may have taken place.
“We will not be releasing the name of the student.
“If your child has been in one of these classes on Thursday 17th September or Friday 18th September then they must stay at home and isolate for 14 days or 10 days from showing any symptoms. Your child does not need to go for a Covid test unless they display symptoms.
“Siblings of any isolating student must also isolate during this time.”
According to the email, close contact involves face-to-face contact within one metre or spending 15 minutes within two metres or travelling in a car together.
The message continued: “We have also had a positive case in Year 9, this student has not been in school since 14th September and received a positive result over the weekend. All close contacts have been informed and asked to isolate for 14 days.
“We ask all families to remain vigilant during this time and if you spot any symptoms of the virus to please inform school as soon as you are aware of a positive case.”