Doncaster head reports parents to police for Covid breach after Halloween party shuts school

A Doncaster headteacher has reported parents who held a Halloween party to police after a child tested positive for Covid-19, forcing youngsters to be sent home.
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Beverley Lockwood, head at Bentley’s Kirkby Avenue Primary School, has taken aim at parents who held the party at the weekend for a number of pupils at the school saying: “Can we really justify putting current pleasure and wants before people's lives?”

Mrs Lockwood said the school’s Willow, Cherry and Nursery bubbles had all been closed because of the party.

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In a letter to parents, she said: “As you will know we had to close the above class bubbles with immediate effect because a Halloween Party that was held at the weekend and one of the children has since tested positive for Covid-19.

Kirkby Avenue Primary School in Bentley.Kirkby Avenue Primary School in Bentley.
Kirkby Avenue Primary School in Bentley.

"The child was not ill and did not show symptoms at the time of the party, she then developed symptoms and was subsequently tested the next day.

"The test result came back positive.

"However, the school was not informed that a party had taken place, or that the child had tested positive until the end of school on Tuesday and the school were unaware of those children who had attended the party and that they had come to school for two days.

"Please, please follow the guidance for Tier 3 and lockdown, as this has had a massive impact on the whole school community.

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"We have also had to inform the police - this is our legal duty. If we are given any information about people breaking the rules, we will investigate every incident and take the appropriate action.

“I know we have had a long hard year and it's going to continue to be difficult for some months to come, but we can only come out of this by working together. Many of us have to work and having to isolate impacts on many families, but so does carrying the disease home with us.

“As you know our staff have willingly worked all through lockdown and continue to put themselves at risk.

"Many have been ill and three members of staff have lost close members of their families to COVID.

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"Can we really justify putting current pleasure and wants before people's lives?

“As a community, let's show the world how Doncaster citizens work to defend and protect each other.

"Let's show our children what we are made of and how to be good citizens. This also includes refraining from posting unkind and offensive posts on social media.

"Please, continue to work with us and support us - your support and confidence have helped enormously - and please put off today's pleasures to protect lives tomorrow.”

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The school has also had to close its Rowan and Holly classes this morning, after a staff member tested positive.

She added: “This is completely unrelated to the above incident. Within five minutes of the test result coming back positive this morning, the staff member alerted school and action was taken. Please note that all siblings in unaffected bubbles may attend school from Thursday 5 November.”

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