Primary school stays open despite confirmed coronavirus case and entire class self-isolating

A Yorkshire primary school has decided to remain open despite a confirmed coronavirus case forcing an entire class to self-isolate.

Norfolk Primary School in Sheffield said Public Health England (PHE) had confirmed on Tuesday that someone at the school had tested positive.

But the school’s executive principal Joanne Bradshaw said that since they had followed PHE advice, there was no need for it to close its doors.

Bradshaw added that one class is now isolating in a “protective social bubble”.

Greg Fell, director of public health for Sheffield, defended the decision saying the school had “responded promptly” to the outbreak.

“Schools have well-prepared plans on how they would respond to a coronavirus incident in their school,” Fell said.

“These include testing, self-isolation where appropriate, and deep cleaning for the premises when necessary.

“As is now standard practice, any positive cases will be followed up by NHS test and trace, with any close contacts of cases informed and advised to self- isolate.

“Head teachers inform Public Health England who work directly with the school and the council’s public health team and education leadership offers broader support.

“The protection of pupils and staff is of paramount importance and I am satisfied that all necessary and appropriate measures have been put in place by the school.”

It comes as a total of three schools in nearby Leeds have confirmed positive coronavirus tests.

Hovingham Primary School is among three primary schools the city which were revealed to have confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The school will reopen on 29 June, Leeds Council said, but will be closed to all children and staff for the whole of this week for a deep clean of the entire premises.

The other two schools, Sacred Heart Catholic Primary and Crossgates Primary, will remain open.

Students and staff in the affected classes will have to self-isolate for 14 days before returning to the schools.

Primary schools were told by the government to allow reception, year one and year six pupils to return to school from 1 June, with secondary schools also reopening to some pupils this month.

Plans to get all primary pupils in England back for four weeks before the summer holidays have been dropped.

But the government has said they are “working to get all pupils back in the classroom in September”.

Coronavirus: what happened today

Read more about COVID-19

How to get a coronavirus test if you have symptoms
How easing of lockdown rules affects you
In pictures: How UK school classrooms could look in new normal
How public transport could look after lockdown
How our public spaces will change in the future

Help and advice

Read the full list of official FAQs here
10 tips from the NHS to help deal with anxiety
What to do if you think you have symptoms
How to get help if you've been furloughed