Primary school pupils self-isolating after staff member tests positive for coronavirus

Pupils at a Rochdale primary school are having to self-isolate after being in ‘close contact’ with a member of staff who tested positive for coronavirus.

Sixty children, from two Year 4 classes at Sandbrook Community Primary School, were sent home on Monday afternoon (7 September).

They have been told they must go into quarantine for 14 days from ‘first contact’, meaning they cannot go back to school until 21 September.

Rochdale council has confirmed the member of staff affected was not a teacher or teaching assistant.

A letter sent to parents by headteacher Katie Charlton said: “We are asking you to do this to reduce the further spread of Covid-19 to others in the community.

“If your child is well at the end of the 14 days period of self-isolation, then they can return to usual activities. A negative test does not mean that your child can return to school earlier than 14 days.”

It added that the staff member was not currently ill or showing any symptoms, but had received a positive test on Monday afternoon.

Brothers and sisters of children from the two ‘class bubbles’ can still go to school, unless they develop symptoms.

Sandbrook is one of at least 32 primary and secondary schools across Greater Manchester to have reported Covid cases since reopening at the start of the month.

Councillor Kieran Heakin, cabinet member for children’s services at Rochdale council, has urged parents to follow coronavirus guidance so schools don’t have to close down again.

He said: “Schools have worked so hard to be open and be safe for children to return and get back to vital education. They worked so hard during the lockdown to keep open, even on bank holidays and half term.

“We really want parents to keep following the guidance in place for our borough so we don’t have to disrupt schools and cause bubbles to close down.

“We know it’s hard with how long this is going on for but we all have to play our part to support each other. Please follow the guidance and work together to keep children in the education they deserve.”

Pupils will still be able to access lessons via the school website and the council hopes to get laptops and other equipment to disadvantaged children by the end of the week.

Free school meals are being delivered to children who are having to isolate.

The letter sent to parents includes isolation guidance and advice onhow to arrange a test, while the council is continuing to support the school and affected families.

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporting Service