More than 60 coronavirus cases at Doncaster school not reported, says insider

More than 60 positive cases of coronavirus have been recorded among staff and pupils at a Doncaster school but have been kept under wraps, an insider has said.
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The school is one of Doncaster's biggest secondary schools and cases have been growing in recent weeks, the source has told the Free Press.

The insider, who has declined to be named, said that nearly 20 staff and more than 40 pupils have tested positive for Covid-19.

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We have also spoken to a concerned parent, who also does not want to be named for fear of repercussions, who says that fellow parents need to be made aware of the situation.

A school insider has said that more than 60 cases of Covid-19 have been reported at a Doncaster secondary school - but parents are not being told.A school insider has said that more than 60 cases of Covid-19 have been reported at a Doncaster secondary school - but parents are not being told.
A school insider has said that more than 60 cases of Covid-19 have been reported at a Doncaster secondary school - but parents are not being told.

The Free Press is aware of the school at the centre of the claims.

The source said: "The message needs getting out there so people know what's happening.

"Parents are sending their children to school every day with the potential of their son or daughter bringing Covid-19 back into the house.

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"When all this first started, cases were being reported and parents were being kept informed.

"Now people aren't being kept informed. I know the figures are correct but they aren't being made publicly available.

"Lots of parents and staff have been expressing concerns that the school is not safe.

"Children are being taught in close proximity. Schools are breeding grounds for coronavirus."

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"Staff can teach from home and are happy to do so. They are tense at the situation as it is and would prefer to be home and safe.

Initial Government guidance saw entire year bubbles being sent home in Doncaster schools if one child tested positive within the group.

However, in recent weeks, most schools now only ask pupils in direct contact with the Covid-19 positive person to self isolate.

The source added: "It is ridiculous. The rate in school is far higher than the community average.

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"The school is doing everything it can, but in reality, it is not enough.

"Families are being left between a rock and a hard place. Parents feel they have to send their child to school but each day the child is potentially bringing something lethal back into the home."

Meanwhile, a parent of a child at the school has expressed their fears over pupils spreading Covid-19 within Doncaster.

The parent said: "I'm clinically vulnerable. My child has to keep their distance from me when they come in.

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"We can't eat dinner together, we can't do things together. It impacts on everything.

"I understand the need for children to be in schools, but I think there needs to be a choice. It's easy enough for pupils to learn at home, or schools could operate on a rota or hybrid basis where only a few pupils are in at a time to allow greater social distancing.

"I've spent all summer not going to pubs, supermarkets and restaurants to protect myself and now I'm potentially being exposed to Covid-19 on a daily basis. It makes the whole thing a waste of time."