More schools announce coronavirus closure plans in and around Sheffield

Meadowhead School has cancelled lessons for hundreds of students in Year 8, 9 and 10 due to an increasing number of staff members unable to work.

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It remains open today for Year 7, 11, 12 and 13 students alongside children of ‘keyworkers’ in all year groups needed for the national effort to fight the spread of Covid-19, including those who work in the NHS, emergency services, schools, the care sector and social care etc.

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Children in all year groups who are eligible for free school meals are also able to attend school.

In a letter to parents, the school said: “As you know, all schools are following advice from Public Health England (PHE) and the

Department for Education regarding coronavirus and will not close unless instructed to do so by PHE and the Local Authority.

“However, due to the new guidance on self-isolation, an increasing number of our staff are now not able to work in the school.”

King Ecgbert School in Dore is also partially closed due to staffing levels, with Year 8 and 9 students asked to remain at home today.

Children of those who work in the NHS, social care or emergency services can attend.

Wales High School in Rotherham is closed to Years 7 and 8 for the foreseeable future.

Newfield School in Sheffield is closed to Years 8 and 9.

And Ecclesfield School in Sheffield is closed to Years 8, 9 and 10.

Children with parents in any of the emergency services or public service sectors can still attend.

Brinsworth Academy has also announced a partial closure, with the school only open today for Year 7, Year 11 and Post 16 students.

Associate Principal, Greg Raynor, said: “Our priority is the health and safety of both students and staff, alongside our desire to ensure that we can protect the education of our students.“We are now in a position where we have a number of colleagues that are needing to self-isolate as they fall into key vulnerable groups.”Students in receipt of free school meals are being offered a lunch bag from the academy.