Corby academy bubble in self-isolation after positive Covid-19 test

A bubble of students and staff are in self-isolation after a pupil at a Corby academy tested positive for Covid-19.

The member of the Year 5 group at Hazel Leys Primary Academy had tested positive and their bubble has been told to home school for the next 14 days, with all other pupils and staff staying in school.

A letter sent out by principal Chrissie Barrington yesterday (Monday, September 7) expressed her sadness at the positive test result.

She wrote: "It is with great sadness, that my first letter to you is Covid-19 related.

"As you may already have heard, we have been advised by Public Health England that there has been a confirmed case of Covid-19 within the school. This means that in line with national guidance our Year 5 bubble (pupils and staff) will be closed from today for 14 days.

"Pupils and staff of this bubble will return on Monday, September 21, if they are not presenting any Covid-19 symptoms.

"Under Public Health England guidelines, the rest of the school will remain open. Siblings of children in the Year 5 bubble should still come to school unless they present Covid-19 symptoms.

"I can assure you that we have a robust day to day system of cleaning and hygiene within school in line with our published revised operating procedures and risk assessments.

"I will also be arranging for a further deep clean of the Year 5 classroom and associated areas."

A spokesman for the Greenwood Academies Trust, who run Hazel Leys Primary Academy, said: "The health and safety of our pupils, staff and wider school community is of the utmost importance.

"Following a pupil testing positive for Covid-19, we have worked closely with Public Health England and the Health Protection Team to take immediate action and implement the necessary precautions.

“Through contact tracing and thanks to our robust health and safety measures, we have been able to identify the affected year group bubble and staff, who are now self-isolating for 14 days as a precautionary measure, in line with the latest Government advice.

"During this time, the affected pupils will continue their education through our remote learning provision.

“As an academy, we have implemented a number of stringent safety and hygiene protocols which have allowed us to effectively respond to this case while also ensuring the school remains a safe teaching and learning environment for other pupil bubbles and staff.

"We also encourage our wider school community to remain vigilant in maintaining their own social distancing and safety measures.

“We will continue to be in regular contact with pupils, parents and staff and encourage anyone with concerns to contact the academy directly so that we can provide the necessary support.”

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