Sheffield school sends home entire year groups over 'high number' of staff in Covid isolation

Sheffield Park Academy on the Manor estate sent a letter to parents and carers yesterday, advising that Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 will be affected by the staff shortage over the next week.

Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 will miss two full days of school and those in Year 10 will miss one day between now and Friday, November 13.

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Lessons will be provided online for affected students.

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Year 11 and Sixth Form students are to attend school as normal.

The letter states: “We have a high number of staff who are currently having to remain at home and are self-isolating as a precaution because of potential close contact to individuals who have tested positive.

“This does make staffing the school more challenging.

“We will therefore need to make some temporary changes to the days in which students are in school.

“This is to ensure that every day, in every lesson, we have adequate staffing levels to deliver the best learning possible for each student

“In taking these decisions, we have done our very best to find options that are fair and balanced across our different year groups whilst ensuring that every student continues to have access to the teaching and learning they need to make progress.”

The school said it is 'continuing to take the full advice of the medical and scientific experts in responding to positive cases within the school community’.

The school said: “We will not do anything to compromise the health and well-being of staff and students but this does mean that, at times, we have to make temporary, precautionary changes that impact on the running of the school.”

It added: “These changes will allow us to provide the best continuity of learning for all our students and ensure that everyone continues to receive a full education.”

The school has not disclosed exactly how many staff members are currently isolating at home.

Lessons are expected to be provided as normal from Monday, November 16.

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