Multiple Covid-19 infections are reported in our schools
MULTIPLE new cases of coronavirus have been reported in schools across Derby, forcing the closure of one establishment.
Parents with children at primary and secondary schools in the city received messages informing them of new cases of Covid-19.
The list of establishments where these new cases have been confirmed at includes Breadsall Hill Top Primary School, which has closed, Derby College’s Roundhouse campus, Allestree Woodlands School, Lees Brook Community School and Cavendish Close Junior Academy.
Some children have been told to stay at home for two weeks while the schools themselves remain open as usual.
The Derby Telegraph has also received messages from parents to say Derby Cathedral School has also had learning disrupted by the virus, with claims some children have been sent home.
Schools affected by newly reported cases:
BREADSALL HILL TOP PRIMARY SCHOOL
The school said it was closing for a week after a second staff member had tested positive for the virus.
The closure started from yesterday and the school will not reopen until Monday, October 12. It is not clear if pupils will receive lessons from home during the closure period.
A notice to parents on the school’s website and newsletter from headteacher Mr Lawrence said: “A second adult working in school has tested positive for Covid-19.
“To eradicate any opportunity for the virus to spread in school, we must regrettably implement a full school closure. All children and staff will be required to self-isolate until the end of Friday, October 9, in line with Government guidance.
“School will reopen again on Monday, October 12. If anyone should show any of the Covid-19 symptoms during this time, they should immediately book a test and notify the school that they are having a test, and also the result of that test.
“School closure is a precautionary step to ensure the health and welfare of every member of our school community. We continue to work closely with Public Health England.”
DERBY COLLEGE ROUNDHOUSE
A statement said: “We have been advised on October 1 of a positive Covid-19 case from one of our students at the Roundhouse.
“We have taken advice from Public Health England (PHE) who have
confirmed our processes and protocols are in line with government standards. We have worked with the DfE and PHE to impose any necessary isolation periods on any relevant individuals.
“We are confident we have addressed all aspects of the case in line with expert advice. We have minimised the risk to our employees and students and are able to remain operating as normal.
“We know that you find this concerning but we are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England. This email is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support you. Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus will be a mild illness.”
It added that a small number of
people were in direct prolongued contact with the person who has the disease and these have already been told to remain at home for 14 days.
“The college remains open and you, or your child, should continue to attend if they remain well,” it said.
LEES BROOK COMMUNITY SCHOOL
The Chaddesden school confirmed one of its students had tested positive on Thursday. In a letter to parents, headteacher Zoe House said the school was following advice from the Department for Education.
“The student is in the post-16 centre, and has not attended school since September 28,” she said. “The public health professionals have confirmed it will only be necessary for students who have been identified as close contacts to self-isolate.
“This involves only a very small
number of students, all of whom have been contacted already via their parents. Unless the school has already been in touch, your child is not a close contact and can continue to attend school as normal.”
She added the school would continue to be open to all year groups.
She said: “Please can I take this opportunity to thank you all again for your support in ensuring that your child is following the guidance, including regular hand washing and I continue to be impressed by the safe and responsible approach that students are taking to or new expectations.”
ALLESTREE WOODLANDS SCHOOL
In a letter to parents and carers earlier this week Allestree Woodlands School confirmed another case in one of its year groups.
“We have been advised by Public Health England that there has been a further confirmed case of Covid-19 within the school,” it said.
The case was in year 11 and the school asked all students in that year remain at home on Tuesday. It added that students who had been close to the person with the disease would have to self-isolate.
“We have followed the national guidance and have identified a group of students in year 11 who were in close contact with the affected child and who are now required to self-isolate for 14 days from the start of the symptoms,” it added.
“Anyone affected by this will have received a separate notification. If you do not hear from us, that means your child has not been identified as being in close contact and therefore can attend school as usual. Because of zones in operation, we have not identified any child from a different year as being in close contact with the affected child.”
CAVENDISH CLOSE JUNIOR ACADEMY
A child has contracted the virus, resulting in some students being told to stay at home for two weeks.
In a letter from The Harmony Trust, of which the school is a part, parents were told who was affected on Tuesday.
It said: “We are working closely with Public Health England to reduce the risk of infection for our children and our staff. This means we have had to close Larwood Class for 14 days. The children and staff members will now self-isolate for 14 days. This means they will stay at home until Wednesday, October 7.”
It added that the school would remain open to all other pupils.
ST GILES SCHOOL
A letter posted on the Chaddesden school website and handed to parents confirmed a single case.
It is not clear whether a pupil, staff member or parent has contracted the virus but anyone who has been in directly close contact has been told to self-isolate. The school remains open and children feeling well should attend.
Other schools with recent cases include Derby Moor Academy, Gayton Junior School and St George’s Catholic Voluntary Academy. Chellaston Junior School has also confirmed it had two confirmed single cases over the past month with six per cent of its pupils having to selfisolate. There have also been several cases at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Ashbourne.