School closes for two weeks after pupil confirmed with coronavirus

PENNINGTON Infant School has shut its doors after a pupil became ill with Covid-19 less than a week since partially reopening.

A message shared by the neighbouring junior school’s Facebook page told parents the child had tested positive for the virus and another showing symptoms was also being tested.

The pupil involved is self-isolating and all children who were in contact with them have also been asked to go into isolation.

The infant school, under the acting headship of Amy Wake, has closed for two weeks but the neighbouring junior school is staying open. Last week classes restarted nationally for pupils in Reception and Years 1 and 6.

When the infant school reopens, the message said the self-contained group – or pod – the child was being taught in will not return.

The Facebook post from the junior school, led by Kirstie Richards, said: “A case of Covid-19 has been confirmed in Pennington Infant School. As a result, the infant school has decided to close for two weeks as a precaution.

“We have asked all our students that have siblings that were in contact with the ill student to self-isolate.

“Another student is being tested (although they are also exhibiting symptoms of a common childhood illness from which they often suffer) and we will know the results within 48 hours.

“We have decided to close this student’s pod until this time and will contact the relevant parents.”

The school said other children will return after the closure if their parents felt happy for them to. No one from the infant school was available for comment.

The junior school had posted a message last week about reopening saying it was “excited” about seeing pupils again, adding: “We have done everything we can to prepare the school so that the children, parents and staff all feel safe.”

The infant school’s closure comes as trade union Unison reported widespread worry among school workers about reopening, including PPE not being provided.

Unison south-east regional secretary Steve Torrance said: “The government should have delayed reopening plans to allow unions and schools the space to work together to reassure staff and families in England that the return to school could happen safely.

“I commend all school leaders that have delayed reopening in light of ongoing safety concerns.”