Pupil along with staff member’s positive test

Fa r r i n g d o n C o m m u n i t y Academy has confirmed that one pupil and one member of staff has tested positive for coronavirus.

Headteacher Neal Holder has confirmed to the Echo that the school was informed on Monday that a Year 8 pupil had tested positive for the illness – with pupils who had been in close contact asked to self-isolate.

Mr Holder also confirmed tha and that they had tested positive yesterday – the staff member had not been in school since Monday.

T h e s c h o o l h ave c o n - firmed that the correct Gove r n m e nt g u i d e l i n e s h ave been followed and those who n e e d to s e l f - i s o l ate a re at home.

Mr Holder commented: “We f o u n d o ut ab o ut t h e member of staff at 7am today (Thursday) and by 7.30am, we had highlighted seven pupils who could have been in close contact and have asked them to self-isolate.

"T h e s eve n pup i l s h ad been sat at the front of the c l a s s a n d eve n th oug h a l l our teachers wear visors, we deemed it appropriate they shouldn’t be in school.

"We have followed all Government protocols and guidelines in relation to both cases and there is no need for parents to worry.

"I can assure them that the school is probably the cleanest that it has ever been and those who are affected have remained at home.”

Under Government rules, schools do not need to shut if anyone tests positive for Covid-19, only those who have been in close contact with the affected person are required to self-isolate.

Southmoor is one of dozens of Sunderland schools to have reported a positive coronavirus test.