Sheffield primary school sends pupils home to self-isolate after 12 Covid-19 cases found

A Sheffield primary school sent pupils home to self-isolate this week after 12 Covid-19 cases were found.
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The outbreak was confirmed in letters to parents of pupils at Birley Spa Primary Academy, seen by the Star.

Birley Spa Primary school has sent pupils home after 11 pupils and one staff member tested positive for coronavirus.

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In a letter to parents on Tuesday (March 23) Executive Head teacher Melanie Pemberton said: "Thank you for your support considering our reported COVID positive test results. School has carried out an analysis of staff and pupil data regarding our lateral flow and confirmed COVID case figures, and this data reflects that we currently have 12 positive cases in school, of which 11 out of 12 (92%) positive cases are pupils.

Photo for illustrative purposes from Getty (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)Photo for illustrative purposes from Getty (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Photo for illustrative purposes from Getty (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

The letter adds: “Please can we ask you to remain vigilant for any COVID symptoms and please seek a test, in the first instance.”

Year 2 pupils’ isolation period ends on Sunday March 28. children can return to school on Monday March 29.

Pupils from Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 3, Year 5 - Graves class must continue to isolate until Monday March 29 and then can return to school on Tuesday March 30.

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The letter adds: “Following, the reopening of our bubbles I confirm pupils in reception, reception / year 1, Year 1 and Year 2 will stay with their class teachers and teaching assistants.

This will include all booster ‘catch up’ and recovery programmes.

“As suggested in all previous government guidance, strict hand washing routines will be maintained and minimal resources shared, so that we deliver best practice health and hygiene. Please can we ask our parents to fully support us by not mixing households out of school. This joined up approach will ensure that we minimise the risk and limit the spread of the virus."

"Birley Spa team really appreciate our parents’ support for school, especially as the COVID pandemic, school closures and remote provision has caused unprecedented amounts of challenge, stress and workload for all members of our school community, over the past year. As a school we are doing everything possible to ensure our learning environment remains safe, clean and free of infection. This is in line with government guidance and COVID safer distancing and health measures. Affected bubbles are receiving a deep clean in preparation for our isolating pupils return to school.”

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However one parent who did not want to be named said: “So many children from multiple year groups have been sent home due to 1 covid case, wc 21/03/21. Now it would seem were are up to around 11-15 confirmed cases including my own children (both positive confirmed) in two separate year groups.

“Distancing measures have not been used or adhered to effectively and different classes have been allowed to mix at play time. I feel the board of governors and the head are doing little to reassure parents that this won't happen again after Easter.”

The Star has contacted the Birley Spa Primary Academy for comment.

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