Headteacher ‘exhausted’ as another Sheffield primary school reports Covid-19 case

Letters have been sent to parents and children at Parkwood E-ACT Academy in Shirecliffe and nearby Watercliffe Meadow Community Primary School.

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In the Parkwood E-ACT Academy letter, headteacher Gemma Cottingham said a Year 11 student had tested positive and was self-isolating.

She said Public Health England advice was that other children could remain at school.

The Covid-19 case at Watercliffe Meadow Community Primary School is in the Year 6 bubble, with children and teachers in that year asked to self-isolate for 14 days.

They are expected to return to school on Monday, September 21.

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Parkwood E-Act Academy headteacher, Ms Cottingham, said: “We have been working closely with Public Health England who have advised us that as robust safety measures are in place at the academy, including the arrangement of students and staff into bubbles to limit contact between individuals, the academy can remain open to all others.

“The student who has tested positive for the virus is in the Year 11 bubble and will therefore have had no contact with students in other year groups.

“We are taking every precaution here at the academy to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our students and staff, including regular and focused cleaning of the academy, social distancing and ensuring good hand and respiratory hygiene.”

The Watercliffe Meadows Community Primary School letter said: “We recognise this is a very stressful time and so difficult to deal with as we are working day to day, the uncertainty is exhausting.

"By working together, we will get through.”

"The main way to keep the virus at bay is still good hygiene. Everywhere around school we are promoting this.”

A number of other Sheffield schools have reported positive Covid-19 cases since children were allowed to return after the summer break and coronavirus closures.

There have been confired cases at Abbeyfield Primary School, Pitsmoor; King Edward VII School, Broomhill; Birkdale School, Broomhill; Chaucer School, Parson Cross; Hillsborough Primary School, Hillsborough; Meersbrook Bank Primary School, Meersbrook; King Ecgbert School, Dore and Sheffield Springs Academy, Arbourthorne.

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