Rotherham school confirms two coronavirus cases and sends pupils home

Letters from Brinsworth Academy headteacher Mr Raynor informed parents and carers of a year 8 student and a year 11 student at the school who tested positive for Covid-19 this week.

The first letter made parents aware of the year 8 pupil, and said that they had been sent home. However after speaking to a government official, the school said that they had been told it was not necessary to send anybody else home due to the year 8 case.

A later latter, which confirmed the year 11 case, said: “We have been made aware of a Year 11 student who has tested positive for Covid-19. This is the second positive test case reported by a student in the school.

“Following detailed discussions with a government official regarding the first confirmed case, and discussion today with Public Health England regarding the second case, we have taken steps to ensure that the small number of students who have been in direct prolonged contact with the confirmed case will be staying at home for 14 days.

“We have been asked to remind you that, for most people, coronavirus (Covid-19) will be a mild illness. Brinsworth Academy remains open to students from all year groups if they remain well and are not needing to self-isolate.

"Of course, we will continue to observe all of our in-school additional preventative measures and to monitor the situation closely. You can assist us by continuing to promote good hand hygiene with your children, both at home and elsewhere, and by observing the government guidance if anyone in your household displays Covid symptoms.”

The Government guidance on what schools should do in the event of confirmed cases states that it must be ensured that the person who has the confirmed case self-isolates for a period of 10 days.

Schools must then consult with the Government’s coronavirus advice service to do a risk assessment and determine whether any further action – such as closing a ‘bubble’ within the school – is necessessary.

It is not always the case that a confirmed case of coronavirus will result in the closure of a school, or part of a school.

Mr Raynor added: “Since their return to full-time schooling, our students have conducted themselves with positivity and a good regard for the preventative safety measures we have in place. We are proud of them and we will continue to do everything in our power to keep them safe and well, and to help them make good progress in their learning.”