Infant school closed for coronavirus told to reopen after two days

PENNINGTON Infant School is to reopen tomorrow (Wednesday) after it was judged safe to do so.

As the A&T revealed, the school had to close just a week after partially reopening when a pupil tested positive for Covid-19.

Acting headteacher Amy Wake said it would have to shut down for two weeks to undergo a deep clean. But Public Health England said that having carried out a risk assessment the school has been advised it can open tomorrow.

In a statement the council said: “We are aware that a pupil at Pennington Infant School has tested positive for Covid-19.

"Public Health England has liaised with the school today and, having carried out a detailed risk assessment, has advised the school that only those in the pupil’s school ‘bubble’ need to self-isolate for 14 days.

"In view of this guidance, the headteacher plans to open again on Wednesday (10th June) for children in the rest of the school."

Children who were in the teaching pod with the affected pupil will not return to school as they have been asked to self-isolate.

The decision to reopen so quickly has been branded "bonkers" by local councillor Jack Davies.

He told the A&T: "I was saddened, but not surprised, to hear about the young child from Pennington Infants testing positive for coronavirus.

"The government forced children back too soon and it's clear that they did so without a care for the health and safety of staff and children. That's despicable."

* The article was amended on 9th June 2020 to clarify the advice given to the school