Children self-isolating after another Covid case at Kettering school

Some children at Kettering's Bishop Stopford School are self-isolating after another confirmed case of Covid-19 there.

Last month the Headlands secondary school was one of several to notify parents of a positive result just two weeks into the start of the academic year, telling some pupils and staff to stay at home.

And they have now been advised of another case by Public Health England and have again told some children not to come into school.

In a letter to parents, sent on Friday (October 2), headteacher Jill Silverthorne said: "We know that you may find this concerning but we are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England.

"This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (Covid-19) will be a mild illness.

"The small number of children who have been in close contact with the individual who has tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19) have received a letter informing them that their child must stay at home for 14 days.

"The school remains open and your child should continue to attend as normal if they remain well."

At then end of September there were five active outbreaks across Northamptonshire's schools.

In total 91 per cent of children in the county had attended in the previous week - only a three per cent drop compared to last Autumn when there was no virus.

At a press conference on Friday Northamptonshire's director of public health Lucy Wightman said the rate of outbreaks in the county's schools has been "much better" than anticipated a month ago.

She said: "You will remember my nervousness about school terms starting again...indeed we have had outbreaks, but far fewer than I would have expected.

"I cannot express my gratitude enough to our schools and our headteachers because they have created safe environments.

"We will never eliminate risk, but because of the fastidious nature within which they've enacted all of the guidance [...] at the moment we're in a much more positive position than I had anticipated."

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