All year 11 pupils sent home after Covid case at Doncaster secondary school

Youngsters in year 11 at Sir Thomas Wharton Academy were sent home yesterday (Monday) on the advice of Public Health England, the latest batch of pupils across the borough to be put into self isolation, and coming just days before schools break up for half term.

Elsewhere, five year groups have been put into isolation at Trinity Academy it has been revealed today. Each year group will have to self-isolate for 14 days.

And yesterday, Kirkby Avenue Primary School in Bentley announced it would not re-open until after half term after teachers and pupils were confirmed with coronavirus.

Sir Thomas Wharton Academy principal Rachel Nash said today the decision at the school, on Tait Avenue, Edlington, had been made on the advice of Public Health England, looking at which pupils had come into contact wih one another and travel arrangements.

She said: “Since the full reopening of school in September, we have worked to maintain two key priorities: to ensure the health and safety of all our students, staff and visitors on site and to deliver the highest quality of educational provision for all our young people. The students and staff have responded extremely positively to the adaptations and their resilience has been excellent.

“Throughout the school, strict measures are in place to maintain safety including social distancing, the wearing of face coverings in communal areas, hand sanitisation stations, one way systems and the allocation of students to zoned areas across the school, known as year group bubbles.

"When we have a suspected or confirmed case of Covid we consult with Public Health England and the Local Authority who provide specific guidance on how we respond. This must be adhered to. We communicate regularly with parents and carers and are confident that our approach is in line with national guidance .

“If students do have to self isolate, the Academy provides a comprehensive programme of remote learning so that all students can continue their curriculum whilst at home. The uptake of home learning has been excellent.”

Sir Thomas Wharton Academy is due to hold a virtual open evening for parents, and that is still due to take place.