Coronavirus: St Joseph's Catholic Academy in Hebburn to close for 14 days due to Covid-19 concerns

The school announced the 14-day closure in a letter sent to parents and carers by Acting Headteacher Mr P Mitchell, dated March 17.

Related: St Wilfrid's RC College to close for 14 days

The letter said: “School leaders have been analysing current staffing levels as a result of the updated government guidance that anyone with Coronavirus symptoms including their families / housemates should self-isolate for 14 days and that those who are at increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19) are to be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures.

“This group includes those who are pregnant, those who have an underlying health condition and those who are over the age of 70. As a result of this, the school has a significantly reduced staffing level and does not have the required number of staff available to teach, support and supervise students safely.

“It has therefore been decided that it is necessary to close St Joseph’s Catholic Academy from a safety perspective for a minimum of 14 days in line with government guidance and Public Health England have been informed.

“We will review this position in a timely manner. The school website, social media and text messaging service will be updated with the latest position.”

The letter, which stresses that this is not ‘holiday time’ and that pupils should continue with their studies, continued: “This is an unusual set of circumstances, but I do wish to assure all of our students and families that we have a comprehensive plan in place to ensure the impact on our students is minimised.

“However, this plan will only be successful if students understand that the closure is absolutely not a holiday and that students must meet our expectations to complete work set. Teachers have prepared work for every pupil, which can be accessed via our school website.”

The letter also acknowledges that parents, carers and students rely on the school for other amenities and offers alternatives while the school is out of use, it said: “We are aware that for some families school is a source of a guaranteed meal for their child.

“We would like to direct families experiencing difficulties to community foodbank Hebburn Helps. Our school is very proud of our close connection with Hebburn Helps and know they offer our community support.

“We are also aware that a number of our students rely on support from school for their mental health wellbeing. We would like to remind families of Kooth which is a free, confidential online mental health service for children and young people that offers online counselling.

“I am confident that by working in partnership between home and school our young people can come out of this period of turbulence without having their education adversely impacted.”