Kettering secondary school pupil tests positive for Covid-19

A Kettering secondary school has written to parents to confirm a pupil has tested positive for Covid-19.

Kettering Buccleuch Academy (KBA) wrote to parents and carers to inform them of the positive case but said no year groups needed to self-isolate.

Last night principal Dino Di Salvo wrote: "We have been informed today that we have one member of the school community who has tested positive for Covid-19.

"This individual is within our Year 11 bubble but has not been present at school since Thursday, September 3.

"As soon as we became aware of this, we contacted PHE for its advice and guidance. PHE advised us at 8.15pm this evening that the individual should, as a precaution, continue to self-isolate at home for the next ten days.

"However, given that this student has been absent from school since Thursday, September 3, PHE stressed that there is no need for anyone else in the bubble to self-isolate or remain at home."

A parent of a Year 11 student said they were concerned by the news and said they felt the measures at the school are not good enough.

The parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "All the year groups have their own marquee for lunchtime and break but that's still 230 children in one space.

"They're all having break together, no social distancing, sat facing each other and on top of each other, that's not good enough.

"Masks are not being made mandatory in common areas."

It is not compulsory for schools to require masks. The DfE's advice said: "Schools and colleges will have the discretion to require face coverings in indoor communal areas where social distancing cannot be safely managed, if they believe that it is right in their particular circumstances.

KBA is part of the United Learning Trust, who said it would not be commenting on individual schools, but a spokesman said: "As soon as we became aware of the positive case, we contacted Public Health England for their recommendation on what we needed to do. We have followed their instructions in full.

"We will not compromise on the wellbeing of our students and staff and will always do exactly what the experts advise including self-isolation, deep cleaning and learning from home as required.

"These build on our existing policies for this year with regard to social distancing and rigorous cleaning."

Principal Di Salvo's letter to parents and carers added: "To be clear, this is a single, isolated case that has occurred within the Year 11 bubble. There is no evidence that it was caught in the school or that anyone else in the school is infected."

He added that no other year groups are affected and that PHE's advice is that students should continue attending school as normal.

The headteacher thanked parents, carers and pupils for their continued cooperation with guidelines.

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