A PRIMARY school in South Yorkshire has been forced to close after three members of staff tested positive for Covid-19. Joseph Locke Primary School in Barnsley closed its gates on Thursday after the head teacher asked for advice from Public Health England. The school will now undergo a deep clean. A mobile unit close to […]
A PRIMARY school in South Yorkshire has been forced to close after three members of staff tested positive for Covid-19.
Joseph Locke Primary School in Barnsley closed its gates on Thursday after the head teacher asked for advice from Public Health England.
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The school will now undergo a deep clean.
A mobile unit close to the school will be set up to allow staff and pupils to be tested for the coronavirus, according to Barnsley Council.
Councillor Margaret Bruff, cabinet spokeswoman for Children’s Services, said she did not know when the school would be allowed to reopen.
She said: “The safety of children and staff is our priority.
“Parents, carers, and staff have been contacted with information to help them take appropriate precautions and to arrange for testing.
“They will be kept updated on when the school will re-open. We know that this will have caused difficulties for some parents and carers, and we would like to thank them for their understanding of the situation.
“It’s important to acknowledge that just like anyone else in Barnsley, school staff and children may develop symptoms and test positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19).
“This is why we have clear measures, protocols and guidance in place for schools to reduce any risk as best they can.
“These include clear protocols for responding to any child or adult, who has tested positive or displays any signs of illness.
“We know that this is a worrying time and emotions are high, resulting in rumours and misinformation spreading quickly on social media and in the media.
“We urge parents and carers to follow the advice given to them by official sources such as the school, the council, and Public Health England.
“It’s so important people are being alert and more careful than ever about observing the now-familiar social distancing measures such as handwashing, social distancing, staying at home and self-isolating if symptomatic.
“These will all help to reduce the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the community.”
According to the council, two members of staff were from the same household while the third had “not had close direct contact with children.”
Around 75 kids and 67 members of staff have been attending the school in recent weeks, according to the BBC.
A spokesman for Barnsley Council said: “To ensure this is easily accessible, a mobile testing unit will visit a site near the school to allow children and staff to be tested.
“For children and staff who have not been in school since Monday 15 June, tests will be delivered to their home address, to avoid unnecessary journeys.”
At the Downing Street press conference earlier today Education Secretary Gavin Williamson revealed plans to enlarge school “bubbles” to allow all school children to return to classes in September.
He said: “We’ve been creating bubbles of children in the classroom, creating a protective environment for those children.
“Currently that is at 15, what we would be looking at doing is expanding those bubbles to include the whole class.”
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