Parent ‘concerned’ pupils aren’t following Covid rules at Sheffield school as dozens forced to self-isolate

The parent, who did not wish to be named, said that around 80 pupils at Firth Park Academy had been told to self-isolate in the week commencing October 19.

They claimed that of those who were told to self-isolate, nearly all were from Years 10 and 11 – many of whom had not been sticking to social distancing and other rules used to help keep them safe during the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is alleged that on one occasion, two pupils at the school in Shiregreen shared a water bottle, one of whom later tested positive for the virus.

The concerned parent said they had contacted Firth Park to raise their concerns upon which they were told that the school was following government guidelines.

“The children went back on Monday and there have been cases again already this week in Years 10 and 11,” the parent added. “With the latest one we haven’t been told anything, its parents finding out from their children.

"If you’ve got over 80 kids isolating and they’re coming from those two year groups and teachers have had it from that year group as well then there is clearly a problem at Firth Park somewhere. It’s very concerning.”

Firth Park Academy, which is part of the Academies Enterprise Trust, has published a ‘safe return pledge’ in which it urges pupils to “please follow social distancing and sanititation guidelines.”

In a statement, the school said: “There are a number of students who are self-isolating, either a result of symptoms within their household, or having been a close contact of a student in school who tested positive.

"We inform our parents as cases arise and seek to reassure them of the measures we have in place in line with Government guidelines.

“With regards the claim that two students were sharing a water bottle, if this happened it would be a clear breach of our safety policy. We continue to educate students and inform families of our safety measures, including through live whole school assemblies delivered by the headteacher.”

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