One third of school staff self-isolating

Year 8 students at Washington Academy are learning from home due to mass staff absence at the school caused by Covid-19.

It is believed a third of staff are currently absent with a large number selfisolating.

The school on Spout Lane confirmed that the whole of Year 8 is remote learning this week as a result.

Washington Academy said the affected staff are expected to be off until at least Wednesday, December 9, when their self-isolation period comes to an end.

Parents have been reassured that should the absence period go beyond next Wednesday, other year groups will be selected for remote learning to ensure that time out of the classroom is kept to a minimum.

Despite the period of self-isolation, it is unknown if there has been a positive case at the school or if it is just a precautionary measure.

Consilium Academies, the trust which the school is a part of, have said that live online lessons are ensuring that pupils are still receiving an “education they deserve”. A spokesperson for the trust said: “In terms of staff absences, we currently have a few members of staff absent until Wednesday 9th December along with our Year 8 year group.

“All pupils who are selfisolating have full access to a remote desktop with lessons being hosted live – this means all pupils can continue to receive the full education they deserve. If we have any further staff absences, it will be a different year group which will be sent home to not further impede on Year 8 learning."