Three schools in the town of Sittingbourne in Kent have all seen at least one pupil test positive respectively and hundreds of pupils will now have to self-isolate at home.
The affected schools are all in Sittingbourne, Kent.
Two pupils tested positive at South Avenue Primary School while St Peter’s Catholic Primary School has the one case.
A third school, Highsted Grammar – a grammar school – wrote to parents last night to inform them that one pupil had tested positive and 60 of the school’s pupils will now have to self-isolate.
Public Health England (PHE) confirmed around 60 pupils had been told to self-isolate for 14 days and added it was “in close contact with the school and are providing advice and support to the headteacher.”
In the email, Highsted head teacher Anne Kelly said: “The school has been informed by PHE a number of our pupils have been in contact with a pupil that has tested positive for Covid-19.
“Therefore we have followed the explicit direction of PHE with regards to this matter.
“All relevant parents and carers have been contacted via parent mail and telephone today.”
It is not clear which year group is affected or the exact number of pupils or staff who have been told to self-isolate.
After alerting PHE, staff at South Avenue decided to tell all 120 pupils across both year groups to stay at home for 14 days while around 25 pupils and staff have been asked to self-isolate at St Peter’s Primary.
According to Mirror,Alan Brookes, who is in charge of the academy trust governing South Avenue Primary School, said: “It is clear that the children did not contract the virus whilst at school.
“It is hoped that the swift action taken will prove effective in ensuring that there is no further spread of the disease within the community.
“Letters provided by Public Health England have been sent to all parents appraising them of the situation and offering further guidance.”
The letter sent to parents said: “The school will remain open for years R, 2, 3, 4 and 6 and providing your child remains well they can continue to attend school as normal.
“Due to our rigorous social distancing and timetabling of bubbles your child/children will not have had direct contact with those children who have tested positive.
“We will keep this under review.”
St Peter’s is run and managed by the Kent Catholic Schools Partnership. A spokesperson for the trust said they wished the pupil a speedy recovery.
