PIER BATTERED BY STORM SWELL
A Washington parent has raised concerns after seeing a large crowd of students lined up outside a school with the majority not wearing masks.
The headteacher of Washington Academy has explained how the ‘bubble system’ works and why students are able to move around the school .
A concerned parent photographed a large crowd of students lined up outside the Spout Lane academy on Wednesday.
The photograph, which cannot be published for safeguarding reasons, shows around 50 students crowded against the school.
The parent, who asked to remain anonymous, raised concerns that only a small minority of students were wearing masks.
They said: “How can they be certain that all the people who have been in contact with the person who has tested positive have been told to self-isolate.
“Seeing all the children lining up together so close, outside in the rain, with only about 10% wearing masks – I couldn’t believe it.”
The parent raised these concerns after a member of the school community tested positive for COVID-19.
Sue Hamilton explained that the parent had photographed one year group bubble and only those students can use the door they were waiting outside.
She said: “Following the photo taken on Wednesday morning, we can confirm this is a Year 9 bubble waiting to come into school – Year 9 is the only bubble which enters through this entrance.
"Due to the weather that was experienced in Sunderland on Wednesday morning, students moved under the sheltered line-up space to escape the rain, appearing as if they are closer together than usual.
“Students do not have to wear a mask in the outdoor area – as per local authority guidelines, but are required to wear a mask inside. Students are unable to enter the building unless they have a mask on, if they do not have a mask, they are provided with a disposable one by staff at the entrance.“Our bubbles do not mix at all during the school day – each one of our bubbles have a staggered start, breaks, lunches, and end times, meaning we can isolate each bubble.”