Staff at two Hebburn schools test positive for coronavirus as number of children sent home

Hebburn Lakes Primary School confirmed that two of its support staff tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday, October 21, leading to the closure of a Year 4 and Year 5 class.

The children who have been in close contact with the affected case have been advised to self-isolate for 14 days at home following guidance from Public Health England.

A full risk assessment has been carried out and all other children should attend school as normal.

Amanda Moody, head teacher at Hebburn Lakes Primary School, said: “Unfortunately we were advised of two separate confirmed cases of Covid-19 amongst our support staff yesterday and made the difficult, but necessary decision, to close the bubbles affected.

"This resulted in the closure of a Year 4 and Year 5 class. All other children should continue to attend as usual.

“Following advice from Public Health England, we carried out a full risk assessment and identified all those who have been in close contact with the affected case and advised them to stay at home and self-isolate for 14 days after their last contact.

"In order to try to prevent the spread of the virus additional safety measures were carried out, including thorough cleaning of the classrooms involved.

“Whilst we appreciate that it is a very worrying time for everyone, we would like to thank our parents for their support in ensuring we were able to put our procedures into place so smoothly.

"Can I once again reassure parents/carers that we are following Government guidelines, including strict safety measures and will continue to work closely with the councils Public Health team and Public Health England.

“The health and well-being of all of our pupils, staff and school community has, and will, remain our priority as we work together to stop the spread of the virus.”

St Oswald's CE VA Primary School also confirmed that a member of staff had tested positve for coronavirus and said a number of children had been sent home.

Two ‘bubbles’ of children from Year 3 and Year 4 who have been in close contact with the affected case have been advised to self-isolate for 14 days.

A spokeswoman for St Oswald's CE VA Primary School said: “We have been advised there has been a confirmed case of Covid-19 in a member of staff at the school.

“We have carried out a full risk assessment and identified two bubbles of students from Years 3 and 4 who have been in close contact with the affected case and advised them to stay at home and self-isolate for 14 days after their last contact.

“The health and wellbeing of all our pupils, staff and school community remains our priority.

"I would like to once again reassure parents/carers that we are following Government guidelines, including strict safety measures.

“We continue to work closely with the council’s Public Health team and Public Health England.”

A message from the Editor:

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

You can subscribe to this website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Simply click ‘Subscribe’ in the menu. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here.

Thank you.