Higham Ferrers primary SHUTS and tells 360 pupils to stay home after staff member tests positive

The Henry Chichele Primary school has told parents it could no longer remain open safely
The school has told the 360 pupils on its roll to stay at home for the week.The school has told the 360 pupils on its roll to stay at home for the week.
The school has told the 360 pupils on its roll to stay at home for the week.

A large primary school in Higham Ferrers has closed due to Covid-19.

360 pupils at Henry Chichele Primary School are missing the last five days of this term after the school decided to close yesterday (Oct 19) following a staff member testing positive.

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The school said the decision had been made after a conversation with the Department for Education and concluding the school was no longer able to function due to staff needing to self-isolate.

A communication sent to parents on Sunday from the school said: “In line with the guidelines stipulated by the DfE/local authority the headteacher, Mr McClymont, contacted the DfE helpline once opened on Sunday morning 18th October.

“A lengthy conversation took place in particular the identification of those who may have been in contact with the member of staff 48 hours before their Covid-19 test and on the day of the test.

“The school is presently managing isolated behaviour issues in a couple of year groups, which require key staff to be present, along with the role they play with the staggered start times, safeguarding, daily administration, teaching commitments and the overall management of the school.

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“With a high number of key personnel having to self-isolate for 14 days serious doubts were raised about the school’s ability to function. In the best interests of safeguarding/health and safety, the school had no option but to close.

“The school regrets very much the disruption this will cause to families and will put in place learning activities for all pupils for the remaining five days of school.

“The school was cleaned prior to closure and will undergo further cleaning before reopening.”

This is the third school closure to happen this week ahead of the normal half term date. There have also been a number of Northants students sent home to self isolate due to coming into contact with another student who has tested positive.

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