Young footballers have been sent home from a Sunderland academy after a staff member tested positive for coronavirus.
Kepier School in Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland, announced on Wednesday, that one of their Football Academy staff members had tested positive for the virus.
The school said they were advised to send home their Football Academy learners who now must self-isolate for 14 days until they can return to school on October 15.
As well as regular teaching, the academy gives specialist football coaching lessons to students.
Remote learning has been set up for those who have been sent home and anyone who develops symptoms will then need to be tested.
In a letter, the school's principal, Nicola Ashton, said although it's a "difficult time" they asked for support in keeping the community safe.
The principal said: "Unfortunately, a member of our Football Academy staff has tested positive and we have been advised by the DfE and Public Health England to send home our Football Academy Learners.
"Learners must self isolate for 14 days from today, which means they can return to school on October 15. If they develop symptoms, they will then need to be tested.
"All learners will need to access work online, whilst self-isolating. Remote learning work is being set weekly on a Monday morning on Class Charts for all learners who are absent.
"This is a difficult time for everybody and we appreciate your support in keeping the rest of our community as safe as possible."
