Entire class told to self-isolate for two weeks after teacher tests positive for Covid-19

St Helen’s Primary Academy in Monk Bretton, Barnsley, notified parents and carers in a letter.

The school said the teacher in question was in contact with an infected person last weekend and did not come to school afterwards.

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But as a precaution, children have been asked to self-isolate until September 21.

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The letter said: “The member of staff was not in school this week and only came into contact with an infected person at the weekend.

"The member of staff is now self isolating and we wish them a speedy recovery. We have consulted with Public Health England and NHS and are performing a track and trace as per guidelines.

“We have carried out a full risk assessment with Public Health England, who have confirmed that the Academy is following all recommended guidance and as such is safe to continue within our new way of working.

“All children in the affected class have been asked to isolate and given a recommendation of having a test booked if they develop symptoms. Current guidance is that there is no requirement to get a test if an individual has no symptoms.

“We have been advised that currently other members of the household, including siblings do not need to self-isolate or test unless they develop symptoms because they are a ‘contact of a contact’. However, if any family member does develop symptoms, they should seek a test and self-isolate.

“We have been advised that the members of the class should self-isolate till September 21 even if the test has come back negative in case symptoms develop.

“We have instructed our cleaning team to undertake a deep clean of the zone and classrooms that the group has been based in, as a further precautionary measure.”

The letter also said: “I want to stress again that the safety of our children, families and staff will always be our number one priority, and I understand how worrying this news will be.

"We will keep all parents updated and informed as the situation develops.

"As all our year groups have been attending in separate year group zones with minimal contact between the year group bubbles, other year groups should not be affected.”

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