SCHOOLS across the North-East have continued to report new Covid-19 cases, just days after reopening.

A number of primary and secondary schools across County Durham, Tyne and Wear and Teesside have confirmed cases among pupils and staff.

The Northern Echo has been made aware more than 20 schools in our region, where certain year groups have been told to self-isolate for precaution. 

Just yesterday, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlined a change in the law reducing social gatherings from 30 to six. 

During a Downing Street press briefing, the PM said the measures would help to keep "schools" open.

He said: "These measures are not another national lockdown. The whole point of them is to avoid a second national lockdown.

"By bearing down on social contact we can keep schools and businesses open in the knowledge that they are Covid secure."

He said closing schools and colleges would now be "as a very, very last resort," adding: "The long term affect to children's life chances of not going to school are very significant and far great that the risks now of going back to school - far, far greater."

But in Darlington on Tuesday, a meeting of Darlington Borough Council’s children and young people scrutiny committee heard getting back to classes was proving challenging.

Councillors heard children were suffering stress after having been told to keep their distances, but had found it was not always possible.

We've put together a list of all the schools that The Echo has been made aware have reported Covid-19 cases.

​This information is subject to change and we advise concerned parents to contact the individual schools for latest guidance.

  • County Durham and Darlington

Hummersknot Academy, Darlington

Just four days after children returned to school, Hummersknott Academy in Darlington confirmed a Year 7 student had its first case of Covid-19 - more here

Staindrop Academy

On Monday, Staindrop Academy in Cleatlam Lane told parents the school had a confirmed case of Covid-19.

In the letter, parents are advised that the school has carried out a full risk assessment and that those in receipt of the letter 'do not' need to make any changes to their child's routine.

It said it had identified all those who had been in 'close contact' with the affected case and was asking them to self-isolate for 14 days. 

Laurel Avenue Primary School, Durham

On Monday, Laurel Avenue Primary School in Durham told parents there had been a confirmed case of the virus in the school.

In a letter to parents, it said it had carried out a full assessment and identified those who had been in close contact with the affected case. 

Belmont School, Durham

On Tuesday, Belmont School confirmed that a member of non-teaching staff had tested positive for Covid-19. 

The school said: "I would like to reassure you that the member of staff has not been in school since Thursday morning and had no contact with any children.

"I have been liaising with Public Health England and any members of staff who came into close contact are self-isolating in line with government guidance."

Consett Academy

On Tuesday, Consett Academy confirmed there had been a positive Covid-19 case reported in the school. 

It said the school remains open however, a small number of students are self-isolating.

Coxhoe Primary School

In a letter, seen by The Northern Echo, the school confirms it has seen a Covid-19 case but said it had identified those in close contact with that individual.

  • Teesside

St Benedict's RC Primary, Redcar

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council confirmed the school had seen a positive Covid-19 test and the school had contacted parents with advice.

Cllr Karen King, Deputy Leader or Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said : "We are working closely with St Benedict's RC Primary and will continue to provide any assistance required."

St Aidan's Primary School, Hartlepool

On Monday, St Aidan's Primary School said it had seen a confirmed case of Covid-19.

It said: "The individual was sent home upon showing symptoms and we immediately contacted Public Health England who carried out a full investigation with us.

"Public Health England advised that as no child had been in close contact with the individual there was no need for any child to stay at home or self-isolate as a result."

Stockton Riverside College

On Wednesday, Stockton Riverside College confirmed a member of non-teaching staff had tested positive for the virus. 

In a statement, it said: "Their symptoms developed overnight (on Thursday 3rd September) and they did not come into work the following day or since, as they subsequently tested positive.

"The workspace was deep cleaned immediately and as an additional precaution – over and above the recommendations - the surrounding area was cleansed with an approved medical grade disinfectant specifically recommended for this purpose."

Kings Academy in Middlesbrough

On Tuesday, the academy said a Year 7 pupil had tested positive for the virus - prompting the year group  to self-isolate until September 18.

In a statement, it said: "We have found out today that there is a confirmed case of Covid-19 in Year 7. As a result, we have been advised by Public Health England that we should ask all Year 7 students to self-isolate immediately until Friday 18 September, with a return to school scheduled for Monday 21 September."

Thornaby Primary School

On Wednesday, Thornaby Primary School told parents a member of non-teaching staff had tested positive for the virus.

It said it had carried out a full risk assessment and had indentified all those who had been in contact with the case.

Ian Ramsey CE Academy in Stockton

On Wednesday, Ian Ramsey CE Academy in Stockton confirmed a second positive Covid-19 case within the school.

In a letter to parents, the school said a second positive case in Year 8 had been reported to them. 

It said all Year 8 pupils must self-isolate at home for 14 days. 

Outwood Academy Normanby

On Wednesday, Outwood Academy Normanby told parents it was sending all Year 8 pupils home after positive Covid-19 test.

In a statement, the school said parents should remain in the visitors' car park while pupils make their way out of the school. 

King's Academy, Coulby Newham

On Tuesday, the King's Academy in Coulby Newham confirmed a positive test of a Year 7 pupil, prompting the entire year group to self-isolate. 

A statement said: "We have found out today that there is a confirmed case of Covid-19 in Year 7."

Ormesby Primary School

On Tuesday, Ormesby Primary School told its parents that all Year 5 pupis would need to self-isolate due to a confirmed case.

In an update, the school said no other year groups were affected by the positive Covid-19 test. 

Nunthorpe Academy

On Tuesday, Nunthorpe Academy confirmed it had seen a Covid-19 case and was asking those who had been in 'close contact' to self-isolate until September 22. 

In a statement, the school said: "If you have not received a phone call identifying your child or class, then your child has not been identified as a close contact, and therefore does not need to make any change to their usual routine, including school attendance."

  • Tyne and Wear

St Patrick's Primary School in Ryhope

St Patrick's Primary School in Ryhope, near Sunderland, is asking all children in reception to self-isolate for 14 days after a positive Covid-19 test.

On Monday, it said it would be carrying out a deep clean and that it had informed Public Health England to undertake a risk assessment.

In a later update, it said all children from Year 1 to Year 6 can return to school from Wednesday, and all reception children can return from September 21.

Shiney Row Primary School

Shiney Row Primary School has closed to both Year 1 and Year 6 groups after a 'confirmed' case within the school.

In a letter to parents, dated Sunday, the school's headteacher advised that all those who had been in 'close contact' with the affected case had been identified and asked to self-isolate. 

In an update on Tuesday, it said it was making resources available for parents of affected pupils to collect from outside the office. 

St Robert of Newminster, Washington

Parents with children at St Robert of Newminster in Washington have reported that its sixth form department has closed this week.

Easington Lane Primary School

On Monday, the school said its nursery would shut for at least the next two weeks after a member of staff tested positive for Covid-19 at the weekend.

Families of children who attend Easington lane Priamry School, at Houghton-le-Spring, were contacted to advise them of the nursery closure.

Marden High School, North Shields

On Tuesday, the head of Marden High School said a pupil had tested positive for the virus - and that it had identified those affected.

Portland Academy, Sunderland

On Thursday, a class bubble at Portland Academy was closed after a member of staff tested positive for Covid-19.

The school said it has "acted quickly" and told parents there is no reason to believe any further closures should take place. 

  • If you know of a school that is not on this list, let us know by emailing jim.scott@newsquest.co.uk and we will look into it.