PUPILS in a school year group and six members of staff have been told to stay at home and self isolate after a coronavirus case was recorded.

Brinkley Grove Primary School, in Highwoods, Colchester, alerted parents to the confirmed case of Covid-19 this morning.

In a message to parents of Year 6 pupils, seen by the Gazette, headteacher Darren Smith said: "We have been advised by Public Health England that there has been a confirmed case of Covid-19 within the school.

"We have been advised by the national Test and Trace programme that we are required to close the Year 6 bubble as your child has been in close contact with the individual who has tested positive for Covid-19.

"In line with national guidance we request your child now stays at home and self-isolates until October 29 - 14 days after contact.

"We will put in place the remote learning plan."

Mr Smith also sent out a letter to all parents offering reassurance, in which he added the school "remains open and children should continue to attend if they remain well."

Mr Smith said the school is working closely with Public Health England and monitoring the situation.

He said: "The small number of children who have been in direct prolonged contact with the individual confirmed to have tested positive for Covid-19 have been contacted directly and will be staying at home for 14 days."

In a statement to the Gazette, Mr Smith said: “A pupil at Brinkley Grove Primary School has tested positive for Covid-19.

"From the moment we were informed of the positive case, all processes and procedures advised by the local authority, Public Health and Department for Education were enacted.

"All the pupils in the bubble which this pupil was a part of are now self-isolating for two weeks, along with six members of staff.

“This is an isolated incident which has only affected this bubble.

"All other pupil bubbles are in school, no further action has been taken and we are closely monitoring the situation."

He added: “Brinkley Grove Primary School has given clear communication to parents about processes surrounding Covid-19.

"This includes the need for parents to confirm to schools as soon as possible about positive cases, so swift action can be taken to protect the school community and ensure the school can continue to remain open.

“Here at Brinkley Grove the health and wellbeing of our pupils and staff is of the utmost concern.”

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