Three Telford schools send children home after positive Covid-19 cases
Three Telford schools have seen pupils sent home after positive tests for coronavirus.
The affected schools are the Hadley Learning Community, Lawley Primary School and Ercall Wood Academy.
The Hadley Learning Community confirmed that 97 children, half of the Year 10 group, are self-isolating at home after one of their number returned a positive test.
Executive principal Paul Roberts said that the affected children will be able to return after the half term break on Monday, November 2. As the child in question has not been in school since October 9, the isolation period of two weeks will end this Friday, October 23.
Meanwhile Lawley Primary School has sent one class of 31 Year 6 pupils home.
Carol McQuiggin, headteacher, said: "Following one positive Covid-19 test of a Year 6 pupil, we have one bubble of Year 6 pupils isolating at home for 14 days.
"The children are able to continue to work from home due to the technology and the iPad project we have in place.
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"We would like to thank the parents and carers for their understanding."
Kirsty Smallman, chair of governors at the school, said: "I would like to thank our amazing parents and carers for their understanding but also thank our staff who have worked so hard to ensure our children remain as safe as possible and continue to work hard as we face the increase in cases across [Telford & Wrekin].
"Our iPad project allows the children to learn at home which we know they are all excellent at following the period of lockdown.
"Our bubbles and procedures mean one class from Year 6 is isolating along with their teacher and teaching assistant and we look forward to welcoming them back after the half term break."
A statement from Ercall Wood Academy's principal Richard Gummery said: "We have just been advised that we have had a single case test result that has come back positive for Covid-19. The case is within the Year 8 learning bubble.
"As you know, we have enforced rigorous systems to protect our children and staff in line with both national and Telford and Wrekin guidance. All of our processes have been in place but unfortunately schools are a reflection of the current Covid picture.
"As you would expect, we have reacted swiftly to implement the guidance for this situation, all parents have been contacted, the learning bubble is closed and any potentially contaminated areas have been deep cleaned in line with our risk assessments and guidance documents.
"The academy will remain open to all other year groups. The siblings of the children in the affected bubble can still attend the academy (not those who tested positive).
"Other members of your household can continue normal activities provided your child does not develop symptoms within the 14 day self-isolation period. Again, this does mean that siblings can still attend the academy."
Confirmed coronavirus cases have also caused disruption at Shrewsbury Colleges Group and Dinas Bran in Llangollen this week.
