Students isolating after COVID case is confirmed at academy
The headteacher of Washington Academy has explained how the school managed to quickly deal with a reported case of coronavirus over the weekend.
The secondary school confirmedyesterdaythatapositive case had been reported in the school community.
The school remains open to students and only those who have had close contact with the person are expected to self-isolate.
Head teacher Sue Hamilton explained that the school was able to male contact with those who needed to isolate before Monday morning.
In a statement she praised the help from Sunderland City Council’s public health team and said that the return to school following the six month lockdown has been a success, despite this case.
She said: “The response from the Local Authority Public Health team was extremely swift and incredibly helpful.
“We put clear support and advice in place ahead of the children returning to school, which has meant the right procedure has conducted swiftly, appropriately, and it has not impacted the school as a whole.
"The majority of our school community can continue to come in – this is due to the fact that the right procedures and systems were in place right from the start to maintain social distancing guidelines. Through our thorough year group bubbling, it has en
sured even few transmissions are possible.”
In line with government
guidance the school increased ventilation in the building as students returned.
Ms Hamilton added: “Students have remained at a twometre distance from students outside of their bubble during breaks, lunch time, and movementsaroundtheschoolbuilding.
“Within24hoursofthepositive case being reported to the school on Saturday evening, we conducted a comprehensive review of any potential close contacts, who were informed to self-isolate for 14 days.
“It’s been a positive return to school and we’re proud to welcomeourstaffandstudents back following lockdown.
“It’s unfortunate that we are having to isolate some members of our school community over the next two-weeks as a precaution, but we look forward to getting them back in school as quickly as possible.”
The academy is one of more than a dozen schools in Sunderland affected by a case of coronavirus yesterday.