Hundreds of children have been sent home from schools in Greater Manchester just days after they fully reopened.
We reported yesterday how seven schools in the region had been affected by positive cases among pupils, staff or both.
Now another seven schools have been added to the list, including The Friars Primary in Salford, which has closed to all but Early Years pupils, and Shevington High in Wigan, which has sent the whole of Year 8 home after 'multiple' positive cases.
At St John's CE Primary in Longsight, three bubbles have been sent home - Years 1, 2 and 5.
The school closed early on Wednesday for a deep clean before allowing Nursery, Reception and Years 3, 4 and 6 back on Thursday.
At Inspire Academy Ashton, where a key worker bubble was already isolating from last week, there's been a further case in Year 5. All Year 5 was told to stay home on Thursday and await further information.
And at The Willows Primary in Wythenshawe, Reception pupils were off on Thursday following a positive lateral flow test. A PCR test has since come back as negative so the school welcomed pupils back on Friday.
The full list of schools:
- St John's CE Primary, Longsight - (Three bubbles closed)
- The Willows Primary, Wythenshawe - (Confirmed lateral flow test in Reception, PCR test since negative)
- Co-op Academy Swinton - (Cases confirmed, including one in Year 7)
- The Friars Primary, Salford - (Closed to all but Early Years)
- Hazel Grove High, Stockport - (Confirmed case/s)
- Corrie Primary, Denton, Tameside - (Case in Reception)
- Shevington High, Wigan - (Multiple cases Year 8)
Rapid lateral flow tests being carried out on secondary students and staff are picking up asymptomatic cases.
After an initial test before returning to school, they're being tested another two times in school, before being asked to self-test twice a week at home.
Yesterday parents vented their frustrations over children now remote learning once again, just days after returning to class.
Teaching unions had warned that it was reckless to bring pupils back with a 'big bang' approach, rather than a staggered return, and NEU north west regional secretary Peter Middleman says he not's surprised by the number of cases emerging in schools.
He fears that schools will be under pressure to minimise isolations, to prevent disruption, but says that would do more harm than good.
Mr Middleman said: "Lateral flow tests are proving to be one means of identifying asymptomatic, infectious students and it’s reassuring that headteachers seem to be managing positive cases diligently but, like in previous outbreaks, we fear they will come under increasing pressure from external sources to minimise bubble isolations so as to present a 'business as normal' façade. This would be dangerous and risk accelerating a further deterioration which could ultimately lead to wholesale school closures and a slower lifting of community restrictions.”
As well as the testing of all school staff and secondary and college students, adults in all households with school-aged children, not matter what their age, are also being encouraged to self-test twice a week to help detect those who are asymptomatic, but could be infectious.
The schools where cases have already been confirmed are:
- Westfield Community School, Wigan - (case confirmed in Reception)
- Oasis Academy Aspinal, Gorton - (a key worker bubble from last week)
- The Divine Mercy RC Primary, Rusholme - (case confirmed in Year 5, close contacts isolating)
- Little Lever School, Bolton - (confirmed case in Year 7)
- Co-op Academy Failsworth, Oldham - (confirmed case in Year 10)
- Mossley Hollins High, Tameside - (confirmed cases in Years 10 and 11)
- Inspire Academy Ashton, Tameside - (a key worker bubble from last week)
The Department for Education has stressed that it is not expecting whole bubbles to be sent home when there is a positive case - only those students who are identified as close contacts.
However headteachers liaise with public health to make their decisions based on the circumstances at individual schools.
Initially they contact the PHE advice service via a DfE helpline and, if the matter is escalated, it goes to local health protection teams to advise schools on what action to take.
If your school is affected by a positive Covid test, let us know in the comments, or email emma.gill@reachplc.com.
