A HEADTEACHER has told parents not to send children to school next week after a staff member has tested positive for Coronavirus.

Parents received a text message from Woodham Academy tonight (Saturday, October 3) advising them to keep children in years seven and eight off school until October 16.

In a video posted on the school’s website, headteacher Andrew Bell said students in those year groups do not need to self-isolate, and neither do the parents.

He added: “This morning I received information that one of our catering staff, who works in the year seven and eight dining room specifically, has tested positive for Covid-19 and is now self-isolating as a result.

“In addition, we have taken advice from Public Health England this morning and they have advised all of the catering staff should self-isolate.

“As a precaution we are going to shut down the year seven and eight bubbles from today with students asked to work remotely, from home.

“So years seven and eight will not be coming into school.

"Years nine, ten and eleven will still come into school as normal.

"The risk to those students is absolutely minimal because of the nature of how we have split dining room areas."

All students are being asked to take packed lunches to school from Monday, and students who receive free school meals will have food provided.

To view the video in full visit: woodham.org.uk