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

St Wilfrid’s RC College is to close for a minimum of 14 days during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, education bosses have confirmed.
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The news was announced in a letter sent to parents and carers by Acting Headteacher MJ Price, dated March 17.

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 those who are at increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19) are to be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures.

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St Wilfrid's RC College is closing for a minimum of 14 days.St Wilfrid's RC College is closing for a minimum of 14 days.
St Wilfrid's RC College is closing for a minimum of 14 days.
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“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 the number of staff members who fall into these categories now working from home, 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.

“In conjunction with Public Health England it has been decided therefore that it is necessary to close St Wilfrid's RC College school from a safety perspective for a minimum of 14 days in line with government guidance.

“We will review this position in a timely manner.”

The letter, which contains a link for students to access work online, 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.

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"This plan will only be successful though if students understand a closure is absolutely not a holiday and that our students must meet our expectations to complete work set.

“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.”