A high school has closed to an entire year group because of the impact of Covid cases on staff.
'Due to higher than usual levels of staff absence' related to the virus, Co-op Academy Swinton has told all Year 8 pupils to learn remotely.
The move comes just a day after the Co-op Academies Trust's CEO Chris Tomlinson warned that remote learning would be 'inevitable' for many pupils this term as schools struggle with staff shortages.
READ MORE: Dozens of pupils miss start of new term as schools forced to close year groups
In a letter to parents today, Thursday, headteacher Zarina Ali, said: "Unfortunately, due to higher than usual levels of staff absence related to Covid, we have taken the very difficult decision to reduce the number of students attending the academy for a short period.
"All of Year 8 will be asked to learn from home starting tomorrow (Friday 7 January) for three days, returning to the academy on Wednesday 12 January 2022. Whilst we ask Year 8 to learn from home during this period, staff will deliver online teaching on Google Classroom for every lesson as per their normal timetable."
She said all students are 'expected to virtually attend every lesson and complete all the work set for them by their class teachers' with teachers providing feedback online.
"I understand that this situation will be difficult for many of you but the decision has been made to ensure continuity of education for students, whilst prioritising the safe running of the academy," she added.
"Although we do already have a number of supply staff on site, it is becoming increasingly difficult to source further supply staff due to the increased demand nationally."
It's not the first school to move to remote learning in the first few days back from the Christmas break.
We reported earlier this week how Haveley Hey Community School in Benchill, Wythenshawe, closed to Year 6 pupils and Moston Fields Primary School, in Moston, shut its Reception classes.
With many schools not reopening until today or next week - and still waiting on the last-minute lateral flow test results from staff - it's feared the closures could be the tip of the iceberg.
Secondary pupils have been told to wear masks in class again, but unions say the measures now being introduced, including 7,000 air filtration units to schools, are inadequate and too little too late.
Has your child's return to school been disrupted this week? Are you worried about the impact of Omicron cases on education? Let us know in the comments here or email any information to emma.gill@reachplc.com
