Wellingborough campus of community day special school closed due to Covid

Pupils at a Wellingborough special school have been told to stay at home for a fortnight due to two new cases of Covid-19 - after four previous positive results.

Headteacher of Rowan Gate Primary School in Finedon Road, Laura Clarke, sent a letter to parents and carers to inform them that the Wellingborough site would be closed from today.

As well as Rowan Gate West (RGW), the school also operates another site, Rowan Gate East (RGE), in Hayway, Rushden, and a satellite class at Tennyson Road Infant School that will remain open to pupils.

In a letter on their website, posted on Friday (November 20), Mrs Clarke said: "As you will be aware from previous letters, there have been four cases of Covid-19 recently at our RGW site.

"Following two further positive test results notified to us today on the RGW site we have sought advice from Public Health England.

"This means that we have made the difficult decision to ask for all staff and pupils on the RGW site not to attend in order to prevent further transmission.

"School will close at the end of the school day today (Friday, November 20) until Monday, December 7.

"We know that you may find this concerning but we are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England."

The letter added: "Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

"The small number of children and staff who have been in close contact with the individuals who have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) have already been notified and informed that they must stay at home and self-isolate for 14 days."