Covid cases reported in six schools
Pupils sent home to self-isolate as virus hits
SCHOOLS have been hit by cases of coronavirus in both pupils and staff. Pate’s Grammar School, in Princess Elizabeth Way, said a student who has tested positive for the illness was last in school on Thursday, September 10.
The school confirmed it had asked a “significant number of students to selfisolate for 14 days”, which includes the whole of Year 10.
In the email, the school said upon finding out about the confirmed Covid19 case, they contacted Public Health England and Gloucestershire County Council to let them know.
The email says “the whole of Year 10 would be out of school for two weeks”, along with “others who may have been on the school bus with the student concerned”.
In the message, senior deputy headteacher Andrew Jones said: “As soon as we knew of this result, we followed the statutory steps, contacting both the local authority and Public Health England in order to effect a timely response designed to protect all in the school community.
“The outcome of this multi-agency dialogue is that we have asked a significant number of our students to selfisolate for 14 days in order to curb the potential for wider community transmission.
“We would like to thank these students and their families for working with us as we seek to implement the Government’s strategic plan to keep the virus under control as far as is practicable.
“This will take time and we are grateful for your continued patience and support in this process. At all times we are working in conjunction with the health experts to keep our community safe, but to facilitate a speedy return to school. Additionally, we will be making contact this afternoon to outline the provision for remote working during this period.”
Meanwhile a member of staff at a primary school has tested positive for coronavirus.
The Warden Hill employee worked in the infant block, and pupils from the year group have been kept separate from the rest of school.
It’s unclear if infant pupils are now self-isolating for 14 days.
However, leaders did confirm their classroom has been deep cleaned, “fogged” and toilets have been washed in between each use. In a letter sent to parents, a school spokesman said: “I want you to know that last night the infant block was deep cleaned and fogged again with disinfectant.
“The class with the confirmed case were kept separate and toilets were cleaned between each use.
“I am also able to say that the confirmed case is a member of staff.”
The letter went on to add: “The school remains open and, providing your child remains well, they can continue to attend school as normal. “We will keep this under review.” A spokesman for Gloucestershire County Council’s health protection team said: “In the past 14 days, six schools have reported having one or more confirmed cases of Covid-19.
“Schools have been given all necessary advice and guidance on how to minimise risk of Covid-19 to pupils and staff.
“As schools come in all shapes and sizes, the measures and approaches taken will, and rightly so, be tailored to individual settings.
“Based on those schools that have reported cases to date, we have been impressed by the measures they have in place and the way in which staff and pupils have responded.”