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Hundreds of pupils across the UK went into self-isolation yesterday after a series of Covid-19 outbreaks in schools.
Some schools were forced to close completely, but Education Secretary Gavin Williamson insisted the government has “a lot” of control over the safe return of students.
Dozens of schools in England and Wales reported cases of the virus, prompting children and staff to be sent home.
At least three closed completely while others delayed their openings or told dozens of young people to stay away from lessons.
However, outbreaks have only occurred in a small proportion of the more than 30,000 schools in the UK.
A school visited by Boris Johnson on August 26 (pictured) – Castle Rock High School in Coalville, Leicestershire – put multiple groups of students into self-isolation ‘as a precaution’ after a staff member tested positive
The cases emerged yesterday after the primary and secondary schools began reopening to all year groups last week for the first time since March, with the rest due to open this week.
A school visited by Boris Johnson on August 26, Castle Rock High School in Coalville, Leicestershire, put several groups of students in self-isolation “as a precaution” after a staff member tested positive. During his visit, Johnson had said that “staying out of school” was the biggest risk for children.
In a House of Commons session with Williamson yesterday, Labor MP Matt Western said: ‘In the last week alone, we have had 46 cases in schools across the UK.
‘In Scotland, there were 86 cases, a total of 158 schools already have cases.
‘In a Suffolk school, five teachers, I think it’s in the Secretary of Health [Matt Hancock’s] own constituency, five teachers and the school had to close.
He asked, ‘Is it [Mr Williamson] Do you trust the government really has this under control? The Education Secretary replied ‘a lot’ and told MPs that schools will only be closed as an ‘absolute last resort’.
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and University Leaders, said yesterday that it was “impossible” to eliminate the risks of transmission in the school or in the community in general.
He added: “Therefore, the outage is likely to continue for the next several weeks and months.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said: “The small number of schools that ask some or all of their students to stay home are following our clear process posted after a positive case was confirmed.”
The Suffolk school Western is referring to, Samuel Ward Academy in Haverhill, closed yesterday but said it hoped to reopen today.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson (pictured) insisted the government has “a lot” of control over the safe return of students.
Up to 200 pupils from eight Liverpool schools self-isolate for 14 days after confirmed coronavirus cases.
Old Buckenham High School in Norfolk closed after a staff member tested positive, according to the BBC’s education website. It will reopen after deep cleaning.
In Middlesbrough, Hemlington Hall Academy was closed to reception and daycare children yesterday after a staff member went home with suspicious symptoms on Friday. The affected classes will not be able to return until September 21.
Cases have also been confirmed in three surrounding schools. The city was added to the official Covid-19 watch list as an ‘area of concern’ on Friday.
Six schools in Sunderland announced partial closures, while a seventh in the area closed completely.
The JCB Academy in Rocester, Staffordshire, closed on Friday after a student tested positive and around 100 students self-isolated.
Schools in East Sussex, South London, Leeds and Nottingham also closed for some year groups or delayed reopening, forcing pupils to self-isolate after teachers tested positive.
Freshmen at Newsham Elementary School, Blyth, Northumberland, were asked to isolate themselves after a child tested positive. The school had reopened last Wednesday.
In Wales, at least eight schools are believed to have been affected by the coronavirus since its reopening. Schools in Scotland have been open since mid-August.
- A survey of students today reveals that 70 percent fear contracting the coronavirus when they return to campus starting this month.
Many also complain about a lack of up-to-date advice and support from their universities.
