Heads seek legal advice in bid to block teachers from travelling abroad

Headteachers could stop staff from travelling abroad during the half-term, it has emerged today.   

Law firm Stone King said it had received about 20 calls from state schools seeking advice over whether they can ban teachers from leaving the UK in school holidays, according to The Times.

This comes as more than 1,000 teachers across Scotland have been forced to self-isolate because of Covid symptoms. 

Official school attendance records have shown that while 99 per cent of schools have reopened since the coronavirus pandemic, one in 10 pupils have not returned.  

Approximately 88 per cent of state school pupils were back in class on September 10, meaning 12 per cent were marked absent, according to Department for Education figures. 

This equates to around 960,000 students not attending school – 400,000 fewer than usual. 

Law firm Stone King said it had received about 20 calls from state schools seeking advice over whether they can ban teachers from leaving the UK in school holidays. Pictured, Pupils at Rosshall Academy wear face coverings

DfE data show that two-thirds (67 per cent) of all early years settings were open on September 10, while 23 per cent were closed and 10 per cent had unknown status

DfE data show that two-thirds (67 per cent) of all early years settings were open on September 10, while 23 per cent were closed and 10 per cent had unknown status

SCHOOLS STRUGGLE WITH ‘INCREASINGLY OUT OF CONTROL’ COVID-19 TESTING ISSUES 

Schools are struggling to cope with a lack of Covid-19 tests for pupils and staff as the situation is becoming ‘increasingly out of control’, a teaching union leader has warned.

Dr Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT teaching union, has called on the Government to prioritise the education sector for the allocation of tests in light of the challenges. 

The union leader told Nick Gibb that pupils who have been sent home with symptoms are ‘facing uncertainty’ about when or where they will be able to access a test.

He warned that the delays in testing have meant some students and staff who are part of a ‘bubble’ within a school are not being isolated even where there are multiple suspected cases. 

Schools have been hit with Covid-19 cases since it became compulsory for pupils to return.

Some have closed their doors days after reopening while others have told whole year groups and classes to self-isolate for two weeks following confirmed cases.

NASUWT members are ‘expressing serious concerns about the failure’ of the testing system and the impact on schools, the letter to Mr Gibb says. 

Local authorities across the country – including in the North West of England – are struggling to cope with the demand for tests from pupils and school staff, the union suggests.

The letter says members have reported that there are around 600 pupils in Bury who are self-isolating, while Salford council has been inundated with requests for tests from schools.  

Earlier this week, Dr Roach warned Gavin Williamson of the possibility of legal action if the Government fails to protect teachers working in schools which have fully reopened during the pandemic. 

Dr Patrick Roach, general secretary of NASUWT, said the teaching union had heard of approximately 600 pupils being told to self-isolate in one local authority area and warned the ‘number is growing’.

In Glasgow, where a council chief voiced alarm over an ‘extraordinary’ rise in virus cases among school staff, 150 teachers are self-isolating and around 20 of them have tested positive.

Elsewhere, local authorities report that dozens of teachers have been told to stay at home by contact tracers. Scottish Government figures show that as of September 8, 1,827 school staff were absent for ‘Covid-19 related reasons’.

Of these, 1,132 were teachers and 695 were other school-based staff. 

In Edinburgh, 13 teachers are self- isolating; 17 are at home in Angus, 16 in Midlothian, 13 in Falkirk and 45 in East Renfrewshire.

South Lanarkshire Council said 17 teachers were self-isolating or shielding, while another 15 had suspected or confirmed coronavirus. Perth and Kinross said 28 teachers were self-isolating, while in Highland the figure is ten. 

Meanwhile, more than a dozen pupils at Taylor High School in Motherwell, Lanarkshire, have been told to self- isolate for two weeks after a teacher tested positive for coronavirus. 

Meanwhile the founder of Oasis Community Learning, which is responsible for 31,500 children at 52 academies across England, said 1,200 pupils had been sent home over the first six days of the new school year. 

Steve Chalke, founder of the Oasis academy trust, said eight of its schools have had to send home a total of 1,200 pupils to self-isolate, including whole year groups.

Oasis Academy South Bank in central London has sent 240 children home because a single teacher tested positive. Other staff members told to isolate as a precaution have been unable to get tests. 

Mr Chalke said: ‘We feel let down… What schools need is on site testing, they need bulk testing, they need regular testing.’

He attacked the ‘massive disruption to the education of every child’.

James Bowen, of school leaders’ union NAHT, said there was ‘chaos being caused by the inability of staff and families to successfully get tested when they display symptoms’.

Over 30 schools have told at least one full cohort to stay home or closed down altogether after one coronavirus case, it emerged yesterday.

A Government spokesman said children and school staff should only get a test if they develop symptoms.

Dozens of parents say their children have found themselves ‘unnecessarily off school’ after being sent home with a ‘sniffle’ over coronavirus fears – at a time it’s ‘impossible’ to get tested to prove they don’t have the virus.

Schools throughout Hull have started sending children home when they’ve had what their parents have described as a ‘common cold’.

Schools have told parents to have their child tested for coronavirus, and only upon receipt of a negative test will they be allowed back into the classroom. 

Sammie Waudby, 32, from west Hull said her 11-year-old son was sent home on Monday with a cold, and is now missing out on the first few weeks of secondary school, because she can’t get a test to prove he doesn’t have the virus. 

The Government says children and school staff should only get a test if they develop symptoms. Pictured, Pupils from years 7 and 11 return to Manor High School in Oadby, Leicestershire

The Government says children and school staff should only get a test if they develop symptoms. Pictured, Pupils from years 7 and 11 return to Manor High School in Oadby, Leicestershire

She said: ‘My son had a cold on Saturday. I phoned his school and they said he can still attend as no temperature or any other symptoms apart from the slightest cough and runny nose.

‘I got to the school, luckily I had waited with him, for the other teachers to tell me he couldn’t attend until he had a test which I cannot get one.

‘He’s fine, coughed once today and is fine in himself and full of himself, the fact he doesn’t have to go back.

‘I’m one stressed mum knowing he’s fine and way behind on learning so for me his education is being stopped again. He’s missing out on the time he should be getting settled with the others.

‘I do understand the school have to be careful but it’s a bit OTT. The testing is the main issue, if done he can be sent back to school asap, without it’s up to the school.

‘I’ve been trying every hour with it saying it’s busy, I even got up few times through the night and it was the same.

‘I drove to Humber Bridge as a few managed to get tested without booking, so they said, but I got turned away and told to book.’

MailOnline has contacted Stone King for comment.  

Attendance figures show 99 per cent of schools have reopened but one in 10 children still haven’t gone back after lockdown

By Jack Wright for MailOnline 

Official school attendance records have shown that 99 per cent of schools have reopened since the coronavirus pandemic but as many as one pupil in 10 have not returned.  

Approximately 88 per cent of state school pupils were back in class on September 10, meaning that 12 per cent of children were marked absence.

Figures published by the Department for Education (DfE) indicate that this is a higher absence rate than the usual figure of around five per cent, but it is not broken down to show whether pupils were at home because of Covid outbreaks. 

Some 92 per cent of schools were fully open on 10 September and attendance was higher in fully open schools with around 90 per cent of all pupils in fully open state-funded schools returning to their classrooms. 

Approximately 88 per cent of state school pupils were back in class last Thursday, meaning that 12 per cent of children were marked absence (pictured: pupils from Year 11 at Hazelwood Integrated College are pictured during their first day back to the school in Belfast)

Approximately 88 per cent of state school pupils were back in class last Thursday, meaning that 12 per cent of children were marked absence (pictured: pupils from Year 11 at Hazelwood Integrated College are pictured during their first day back to the school in Belfast)

Around a quarter of schools did not supply information (pictured: parents walk their children into Bishop Road Primary School in Bristol as schools reopen)

Around a quarter of schools did not supply information (pictured: parents walk their children into Bishop Road Primary School in Bristol as schools reopen)

Around a quarter of schools did not supply information, as school leaders warn that delays in testing are leading to year groups being sent home. 

In early years settings, just 67 per cent of schools opened last Thursday, while 37 per cent of children who usually attend childcare went to class. 

It comes as another 300 schools in England and Wales have sent class groups home after receiving positive test results. 

Government guidance states that school attendance is mandatory from the beginning of the autumn term, while pupils or members of their households with coronavirus symptoms should not attend school. 

If someone who has attended school is tested positive for Covid-19, pupils they have been in close contact with will be asked to self-isolate.   

One in eight state school students did not go back when classrooms reopened after this month the coronavirus lockdown, according to official figures (pictured: pupils on the first day back to school at Charles Dickens Primary School in Borough, South London)

One in eight state school students did not go back when classrooms reopened after this month the coronavirus lockdown, according to official figures (pictured: pupils on the first day back to school at Charles Dickens Primary School in Borough, South London)

DfE data show just 37 per cent of all early years students attended school on September 10

DfE data show just 37 per cent of all early years students attended school on September 10

Schools are considered not fully open if they are unable to provide face-to-face teaching for all pupils on roll for the whole school day.

For most schools that reported they were not fully open, this was due to non-Covid-19 related reasons, the DfE release suggests.

Of all schools that responded, one per cent said they were not fully open due to suspected or confirmed cases of coronavirus. 

The DfE said it expected the figures for early years to settle in a few weeks, as some early years providers had started the term with inset days.

Just 18,000 children aged 0 to four classed as vulnerable were in early years settings, representing 21 per cent of children in this age group classified as ‘Children in Need’ or who have an Education, Health and Care Plan. 

Thousands of students are having their return to school curtailed because of coronavirus outbreaks in the classroom amid a fiasco over testing.

Headteachers have warned that schools will ‘grind to a halt’ if teachers and pupils can’t get tested quickly to avoid whole-school closure.

At least 30 schools have closed completely already because of cases and one headteacher in Preston said this morning that he already has two staff self-isolating at home and struggling to get tested, along with 10 children. 

Pupils in Scotland had all returned by August 12, and they are also dealing with a number of outbreaks. And Northern Ireland schools were back in classrooms on August 31, despite a survey from NI’s largest teaching union saying a majority of staff ‘feel anxious and stressed’ about returning.

Schools are considered not fully open if they are unable to provide face-to-face teaching for all pupils on roll for the whole school day (pictured: pupils from Year 11 at Hazelwood Integrated College in Belfast are pictured during a lesson)

Schools are considered not fully open if they are unable to provide face-to-face teaching for all pupils on roll for the whole school day (pictured: pupils from Year 11 at Hazelwood Integrated College in Belfast are pictured during a lesson)

More than 330 schools in England and Wales have either shut completely or sent some class groups home after receiving positive test results. Pictured: Blackfordby St Margaret's CE Primary School, Derbyshire is closed

More than 330 schools in England and Wales have either shut completely or sent some class groups home after receiving positive test results. Pictured: Blackfordby St Margaret’s CE Primary School, Derbyshire is closed

Jim Blakely, head at Garstang St Thomas’ School, told the Today programme: ‘At the moment I’ve got two members of staff not here. 

‘My Year 4 teacher was sent home last Wednesday due to Covid symptoms, a persistent cough, but there were no tests available on Wednesday.

‘So he kept trying to book during the day and in the evening, and there was some test available in some strange places, and these are the same places that parents in my school have been directed to like Aberdeen and Llandudno. Not only are they miles away, but they are in Wales and Scotland. There is very little local testing.’

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said disruption to pupils’ education could worsen in the months to come.

‘While only a small number of schools have had to close because of outbreaks, we are regularly hearing reports of groups of pupils and staff having to self-isolate in response to positive cases,’ he said. 

Downing Street have said that the vast majority – around 99 per cent – of schools have reopened as planned this month.

‘There is a very small number of schools which have asked some or all of their pupils to remain at home,’ they said. ‘Children who are self-isolating continue to receive remote education from home.’ 

Here is a list of all schools in England and Wales known to have been affected by a positive coronavirus test:

England

NORTH WEST

Accrington

Mount Carmel RC High School told every Year 7 pupil to remain at home after a pupil in the year group tested positive for Covid-19.

A pupil also caught the bug at Accrington Academy – students who were in ‘very close and prolonged proximity’ to the infected pupil were told they needed to quarantine for 14 days at home.

St Christopher’s CE High School confirmed on September 7 that two pupils had the disease, but said it would remain open.

A class at St Anne’s and St Joseph’s school were told to self-isolate for two weeks following a case.

It is not known if it is a pupil or member of staff that has been affeted.

Barnoldswick

Coates Lane Primary School confirmed a positive case Covid-19 – a number of individuals who may have been in close contact have been asked to isolate.

Blackburn

Two students and one teacher at Blackburn College tested positive for coronavirus. Students and staff who have been in direct contact with the teacher and two pupils are being asked to self-isolate at home for 14 days.

At Blackburn High School three year groups have been sent home due to a coronavirus case in each – year 10, year 9 and year 7.

Lammack Primary School contacted parents after positive cases of coronavirus were confirmed among pupils.

A class at the Blackburn school has been advised to take precautionary measures and self-isolate following instructions from Public Health England.

A year 9 pupil tested positive at Witton Park Academy and the whole year group were sent home.

The parents of Year 7 students at Pleckgate High School were contacted following a positive case in that year group.

Bolton

Three schools in Bolton have had outbreaks. They are:

  • St Bernard’s RC, Bolton – (Year 5 bubble)
  • Beaumont Primary, Bolton – (Reception)
  • Clarendon Primary, Bolton – (Year 6 bubble)
Downing Street have said that the vast majority - around 99 per cent - of schools have reopened as planned this month. Pictured: St Mark's Primary School, Swanage, Dorset which also closed due to an outbreak

Downing Street have said that the vast majority – around 99 per cent – of schools have reopened as planned this month. Pictured: St Mark’s Primary School, Swanage, Dorset which also closed due to an outbreak

Burnley

A Year 7 at Unity College caught the bug on the first day back to school.

He had shown no symptoms but was immediately collected by his family and told to self-isolate.

All other 25 students in the Year 7 ‘bubble’ were sent home on Wednesday afternoon and will also self-isolate for 14 days.

Bury

Five schools in Bury have had coronavirus outbreaks. They are:

  • Heaton Park Primary School, Bury – (Class 2W and Year 3)
  • Lowercroft Primary School, Bury – (Year 6)
  • Prestolee Primary School, Radcliffe
  • St Bernadette’s RC Primary, Whitefield – (Nursery, Years 1, 2, 5 and 6)
  • St Gabriel’s RC High School, Bury – (Year 11)

Cheshire

‘Several’ cases of coronavirus were reported in unspecified Cheshire West schools this week, Cheshire West and Chester Council said.

All schools affected have successfully completed contact tracing, while all staff and pupils who have been in contact with those suffering symptoms have been advised to self-isolate for 14 days.

Carlisle

A pupil at Stanwix School tested positive for the bug, prompting some pupils there to self-isolate.

Leyland

An entire class of primary school pupils and their teacher was told to self-isolate after a pupil tested positive at Leyland Methodist Infant and Junior Schools.

Parents of Year 1 pupils have been asked to keep their children at home after the school was notified of a positive Covid-19 case.

Longridge

St Cecilia’s Roman Catholic High Schoo has asked 13 members of staff to self-isolate for 14 days after a teacher tested positive.

Years 7, 8 and 9 will not return to school until September 17 and have been told to access learning from home.

160 pupils at Two Mile Hill Primary School in Bristol are at home self-isolating following an outbreak

160 pupils at Two Mile Hill Primary School in Bristol are at home self-isolating following an outbreak

Manchester

Twelve schools in Manchester have had coronavirus outbreaks. They are:

  • Wilbraham Primary School, Fallowfield – (Year 3 and Year 4)
  • Park View Community School, Miles Platting
  • Manchester High School for Girls – (Year 5 Prep)
  • Newall Green Primary School, Wythenshawe – (One class in Year 1)
  • Old Hall Drive Academy, Gorton – (Year 6)
  • Old Moat Primary School, Withington – (Year 6)
  • St Aidan’s Catholic Primary, Northern Moor – (Year 2)
  • Chorlton High School South – (A Year 7 class)
  • Green End Primary School, Burnage – (One Reception class)
  • Oswald Road Primary School, Chorlton – (Year 3)
  • Manchester Communication Academy, Harpurhey – (One bubble from Year 11)
  • Inspire Academy, Ashton – (Year 1)

WHAT IS HAPPENING TO TESTING IN THE UK? 

What has gone wrong with coronavirus testing in the UK?

People across England are struggling to get access for swab tests which are used to confirm whether or not they have Covid-19. 

These should be available on the day at drive/walk-through centres or by mail order but many have reported being unable to get them, and instead being met by a ‘service busy’ message on the booking website.

This is even reportedly a problem in areas with local lockdowns, where testing is crucial and mobile test sites are set up to speed up the process.

Why are tests not available for everyone who wants them? 

The Government’s testing system is still not set up to cope with the surging demand now being placed on it. 

It was never advanced enough to offer everyone a test, which is why only people with symptoms are supposed to book the swabs.

Numbers of people catching the virus are rising across the country and the number of people wanting tests is increasing as a result.

Although the Department of Health claims it can process 243,817 swab tests per day, the system is stalling at a lower level – 205,659 were done on Thursday, September 10, the most recent data. 

Health officials have blamed laboratory capacity for the shortage, and the testing chief at NHS Test & Trace apologised for this last week.

Is a lack of staff in labs really to blame? 

One suggestion is that labs may not have enough technical staff able to operate the machines that process the swabs. 

More labs are being set up and more staff employed, but this could take weeks or months to translate to big gains in testing capacity.

One of the scientists who helped set up the system, however, has rejected this and said labs are operating normally and ‘there are problems elsewhere in the chain’.

The University of Birmingham’s Professor Alan McNally said on BBC Breakfast: ‘The labs are still fully staffed, they are still churning through huge amounts of samples per day – the same number as they were a couple of months ago – so there are problems elsewhere in the chain…

‘I think this is multi-factorial. I think you almost have a perfect storm of events that have come together to almost essentially crash the testing system.

‘I think there is a surge in demand [and] I think our stated capacity is very different from actually how many tests can be run in a given day.’

What is the impact of growing pressure on test labs?

A large workload for testing labs around the UK means that people’s results are taking longer to process – many people have to wait more than the target 24 hours to find out their result.

This means that the government is throttling the number of tests that are sent out, to avoid completely overwhelming the system, so people in some areas are finding it difficult to access swabs. 

There are concerns that a system that is frustrating or slow to use will put people off and members of the public will stop bothering to use it. 

Should people still be ordering tests?

Yes, anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus (a cough, fever or lost sense of taste/smell) must order a test however they can. People who do not have symptoms, and have not been instructed by a medical professional to get tested, should not order a test.

Merseyside

West Derby School was the first in the city to send children home after a confirmed case.

A total of 56 pupils and three staff members will now spend 14 days self isolating at home following the positive test.

Half of all pupils at Sudley Junior School were sent home after it recorded two positive coronavirus cases, with pupils in Years 3 and 5 now isolating.

A member of ‘the school community’ at Broad Square Primary School tested positive, meaning they are their bubble are in self-isolation.

Pupils in Year 11 at Liverpool College have to isolate for two weeks after a positive coronavirus tests.

In Everton Hunts Cross Primary School and Our Lady of Immaculate School had to send some pupils home after an outbreak.

English Martyrs Catholic Primary Year 5 pupils have to spend a fortnight at home after a member of staff got the bug where as Litherland Moss shut entirely after Year 3 pupils tested positive.

Woodchurch High School and Co-op Academy Bebington have collectively have to tell hundreds of students to self-isolate after pupils at the former and staff at the latter caught the disease.

Ridgeway High School, Brackenwood Infant School and Bidston Village Primary School have been affected to an unknown extent after reported cases.

Meadow Park School – a pupil referral unit – closed after an outbreak among staff.

All Saints Catholic High School remains open despite two pupils testing positive for coronavirus last week.

Parents of children at Longton Lane Primary School received an email on Tuesday morning informing them there had been a confirmed case of Covid-19 at Kidzone, the neighbouring private nursery that also provides Longton Lane’s after-school club.

Holly Lodge Girls college in Liverpool has confirmed three cases of coronavirus, with those testing positive now self-isolating. 

A school manager told MailOnline that Public Health England was ‘satisfied’ there was no risk of an outbreak and the school could remain open. 

Oldham

Thirteen schools in Oldham have had coronavirus outbreaks.

  • St Martin’s CE Primary, Oldham – (One class)
  • Yew Tree Community School, Chadderton – (Class 4 Red)
  • Hey with Zion, Lees, Oldham – (Nursery)
  • Whitegate End Primary and Nursery, Chadderton, Oldham – (One Year
  • Sandbrook Community Primary School, Rochdale – (One bubble)
  • Broadfield Primary School, Rochdale – (Three bubbles)
  • Marland Hill Community Primary School, Rochdale – (Two bubbles)
  • St Cuthbert’s RC High School, Rochdale – (Year 11)
  • Boarshaw Primary School, Middleton – (One bubble)
  • Middleton Parish Church School
  • Bowlee Park Community School, Middleton – (Year 1 Class 3 and Year 1 Class 4)
  • St Luke’s Primary, Heywood – (Year 2 and 3)
  • St Anne’s Academy, Middleton – (Small number of students)

Penrith

Ullswater Community College staff said one of its students has tested positive for the virus.

Preston

Dozens of students were sent home from Cardinal Newman College after a positive case of coronavirus on September 7.

Students who share classes with the infected student must self-isolate for 14 days.

Rochdale

Ten schools in Rochdale have had coronavirus outbreaks. They are:

  • Sandbrook Community Primary School, Rochdale – (One bubble)
  • Broadfield Primary School, Rochdale – (Three bubbles)
  • Marland Hill Community Primary School, Rochdale – (Two bubbles)
  • St Cuthbert’s RC High School, Rochdale – (Year 11)
  • Boarshaw Primary School, Middleton – (One bubble)
  • Middleton Parish Church School
  • Bowlee Park Community School, Middleton – (Year 1 Class 3 and Year 1 Class 4)
  • St Luke’s Primary, Heywood – (Year 2 and 3)
  • St Anne’s Academy, Middleton – (Small number of students
  • Meanwood Primary, Rochdale – (Year 2 and Year 4)

Rossendale

The Valley Leadership Academy sent home a group of pupils after a student in Year 11 tested positive for coronavirus.

Pictured: Royal Wootton Bassett Academy near Swindon, Wiltshire where 284 students are self isolating

Pictured: Royal Wootton Bassett Academy near Swindon, Wiltshire where 284 students are self isolating

Salford

Five schools in Salford have had coronavirus outbreaks. They are:

  • Harrop Fold, Salford – (Year 11)
  • Buile Hill Academy, Salford – (Year 7)
  • Co-op Academy Swinton – (Year 7 and Year 10)
  • Ellenbrook Primary School, Walkden, Salford – (One class from Year 3)
  • Salford City Academy, Eccles – (Small number in Year 11) 

Skelmersdale

A member of staff at Our Lady’s Queen of Peace College tested positive for Covid-19, leaving them and four of their colleagues to self-isolate for 14 days.

Stockport

Three schools in Stockport have had coronavirus outbreaks. They are:

  • St Winifred’s RC Primary, Heaton Mersey
  • Didsbury Road Primary School, Stockport – (Year 1)
  • Adswood Primary, Stockport – (Year 1, Year 2, one class from Y5/6

Tameside

Three schools in Tameside have had coronavirus outbreaks:

  • Great Academy Ashton, Tameside – (part of Y10)
  • St Stephen’s RC Primary School, Droylsden – (Confirmed case in Key Stage 2)
  • St Anne’s Primary School, Denton – (One class in Year 5)

Trafford

Four schools in Trafford have had coronavirus outbreaks. They are:

  • Gorse Hill Primary School, Stretford – (Year 1)
  • Brooklands Primary School, Sale
  • Seymour Park Community Primary, Old Trafford
  • Urmston Grammar – (Part of Year 12)

Wigan

Six schools in Wigan have have coronavirus outbreaks. They are:

  • St John Vianney RC School, Stretford – (Small number self-isolating)
  • St Mary’s Catholic High School, Astley, Wigan
  • St Michael’s CE Primary, Atherton, Wigan
  • Westleigh Methodist Primary School, Leigh – (Year 3 and Year 4)
  • Dean Trust Wigan – (Year 8)
  • Hawkley Hall High, Wigan – (Small number in Year 7)

Whitworth

Although its identity is not currently known, a Rossendale Borough Councillor has confirmed that several cases have been traced back to one school in Whitworth.

The latest case in Rossendale’s coronavirus outbreak that has seen its infection rate spike to become one of the worst in all of England. 

NO TESTS AVAILABLE ‘IN 10 OF ENGLAND’S COVID-19 HOTSPOTS’ 

No walk-in, drive-in or postal coronavirus tests are available for people with symptoms of the disease in England’s 10 outbreak hotspots, it was claimed yesterday.

Swabs are not available in Bolton, which is fighting the largest outbreak of the virus in the country with an infection rate of 122 cases for every 100,000 people.

The Government website where testing slots are booked also shows there are no tests available in Salford, Bradford, Blackburn, Oldham, Preston, Pendle, Rochdale, Tameside and Manchester, according to LBC radio. 

When postcodes in each area are put into the testing system it allegedly comes up with the message: ‘This service is currently very busy. More tests should be available later.’

The leader of the council in Bolton, which has Britain’s highest infection rate, said there were ‘major flaws’ with the online booking system and that it was out of the council’s control because the Government runs it. He said the issue was ‘unacceptable’. 

NORTH EAST

Barnsley

St Helen’s Primary Academy confirmed that a teacher tested positive for the virus, meaning all students in that teacher’s class must now self-isolate for two weeks.

On September 6, Athersley South Primary School confirmed that a positive case of the virus had been identified at the school.

Students in Year 8 and 9 only were advised to stay home for two weeks and have been told they can return to school on September 17.

On September 8, Wellgate Primary School confirmed they had one confirmed case of the virus within the school.

On September 7, Barugh Green Primary School closed two of its class bubbles after a child in each was confirmed to have the virus.

On September 10, two departments at Barnsley College were closed after three members of staff tested positive for coronavirus.

Consett

Consett Academy told parents a child had tested positive on Tuesday.

It said the school remains open however and that a small number of students are self-isolating.

Darlington

Four days after children returned to school Hummersknott Academy confirmed a Year 7 student had its first case of Covid-19.

On Monday, Staindrop Academy told parents the school had a confirmed case.

Durham

Laurel Avenue Primary School told parents on Monday that a pupil had tested positive.

The day after that Belmont School confirmed that a member of non-teaching staff had tested positive for Covid-19, with Coxhoe Primary School following closely behind.

There has been a confirmed case of Covid-19 at Seaham Trinity Primary School in County Durham, meaning Year 1 pupils have to stay home.

Gateshead

St Thomas More Catholic School sent pupils home after a Year 9 student contracted the disease.

Hartlepool

St Aidan’s primary school saw a pupil or staff member test positive.

Head teacher Lynn Chambers told parents that after taking advice from Public Health England, there was no need to close parts of the school or ask any children to self-isolate.

Houghton le Spring

Shiney Row Primary School closed both Year 1 and Year 6 groups after a confirmed case within the school.

Easington Lane Primary School shut its nursery after a member of staff tested positive for Covid-19 at the weekend.

Lanchester

The whole of Year 8 at St Bede’s Catholic School and Sixth Form Centre were told to self-isolate after an infection was confirmed at the Lanchester school.

North Shields

Marden High School’s headteacher said a pupil had tested positive for the virus.

Ryhope

St Patrick’s Primary School is asking all children in reception to self-isolate for 14 days. 

Stockton

Stockton Riverside College confirmed a member of non-teaching staff had tested positive for the virus last week.

Their symptoms developed overnight and they did not come in the following day.

On Wednesday Thornaby Primary School told parents a member of non-teaching staff had tested positive for the virus.

Ian Ramsey CE Academy confirmed a second positive Covid-19 case within the school.

All Year 8 pupils must self-isolate at home for 14 days.

Whitley Bay

Marine Park First School told children in some class to self-isolate on September 7 after a ‘small number’ of coronavirus cases were detected in the primary school.

Sunderland

The following Sunderland schools have had outbreaks, with hundreds of students told to self-isolate:

  • Academy 360 – Year 5 only
  • Dubmire Academy – Nursery only
  • Easington Lane Primary – Nursery only
  • Shiney Row Primary – Year 1 and Year 6
  • St Patrick’s – EYFS and Key Stage 1
  • Fatfield Academy – Year 2 and Year 6
  • Barnwell Academy – Year 4 only
  • Gillas Lane – Year 2 and Years 3&4 mixed class

Washington

St Robert of Newminster reported that its sixth form department has closed this week following a confirmed case.

YORKSHIRE AND HUMBER

Bradford

Dixons Academies Trust, which runs 12 academies in Bradford and Leeds, has confirmed that two staff members and one student have tested positive for the virus at three academies.

While the Trust has not named the schools, two of them are understood to be Dixons Trinity Academy and Dixons Kings Academy.

A small number of staff and students have been asked to self-isolate.

On September 8 , Bradford Academy wrote to parents informing them that a member of staff had the bug.

The school said that Public Health England’s advice was to keep the bubble that the teacher taught in open, as he had socially distanced while teaching.

On September 12, Parkside School closed after two members of staff tested positive for coronavirus.

Cleethorpes

A teacher at Cleethorpes Academy tested positive for Covid-19.

However, because of the strict social distancing measures in place on the site, the school remains open to all other staff and pupils unless they fell unwell.

Coulby Newham

The King’s Academy confirmed a positive test of a Year 7 pupil, prompting the entire year group to self-isolate.

Keighley

A staff member at Beckfoot Oakbank School tested positive for the virus and was asked to stay home for two weeks.

Three other members of staff were also asked to self-isolate after coming into close contact with the staff member, though the school’s head teacher said that no students have been affected.

Leeds

Bardsey Primary School will only welcome back Years 5 and 6 on September 8 after a member of staff tested positive.

The rest of the school are now set for another week of home learning.

On September 11, Castleton Primary School asked a small number of children to remain at home until September 21 after someone tested positive for the virus.

Marsden

A child in Year 6 at Lisle Marsden Church of England Primary Academy tested positive.

Parents of other Year 6 children who have been in close proximity to the pupil have been contacted, but all other children are continuing to attend.

Middlesborough

Outwood Academy Ormesby school leaders said in a short statement that a confirmed case had been found ‘within the school community’ earlier this week.

The person who tested positive did not contract the virus at the secondary school.

On Tuesday a Year 7 pupil had tested positive for the virus at Kings Academy.

Their whole year group will now have to self-isolate.

Nunthorpe Academy confirmed it had seen a Covid-19 case.

All those with close contact to the affected pupil were told to self-isolate until September 22.

Hemlington Hall Academy is to close for 14 days after five staff members tested positive for coronavirus.

Ormesby

Ormesby Primary School told its parents that all Year 5 pupils would need to self-isolate due to a confirmed case.

Redcar

A positive case had been recorded at St Benedict’s RC primary school.

Ings Farm Primary School has also seen a positive case, although it remains open to all but those directly in contact with the student. 

MIDLANDS

Bicester

Year 2 pupils and some staff at Five Acres Primary School were told to stay at home for 14 days following an outbreak.

Bilborough

Glenbrook Primary School partially closed after a member of staff tested positive.

Bingham

Robert Miles Junior School sent a Year 5 bubble home after a member of staff tested positive.

Birmingham

Pupils in Year 11 student at Greenwood Academy tested positive after showing symptoms of Covid-19, sparking a 14-day quarantine for classmates.

A class of students at Erdington Academy have been sent home after a positive case.

Year 8 and 11 bubbles at King Edward’s Five Ways were told to self isolate after one pupil in each year group reported they had received a positive test result over the weekend.

Hall Green Infant and Junior School sent home its Year 4 and 5s after positive cases, while a Year 1 class from Lakey Lane were sent home.

All pupils and employees in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 at Prince Albert Primary School were told to stay home for 14 days.

Yardley Primary School sent home pupils today after a positive case.

Blaby

Barlestone Primary School sent several pupils home after they came into contact with a student who tested positive for Covid-19.

A Year 3 pupil caught the bug at Blaby Stone Primary, meaning everyone in the year had to self-isolate for 14 days.

Blackfordby

Blackfordby Church of England Primary has been shut for a deep clean after an outbreak.

Blyth

Newsham Primary School has sent its Year 1s home after a child tested positive.

A reception class of 30 children at Bede Academy in Blyth have been advised to self-isolate until September 18 after a confirmed case.

Braunstone

A teacher tested positive at Fullhurst Community College, leading Year 10 pupils to a period of self-isolation.

Bromford

Pupils in Years 4 and 6 at Firs Primary Academy have been told to isolate for a fortnight following two confirmed cases at the school.

Chapel Hill

A member of staff at St Cecilia’s RC High School tested positive on September 5.

No pupils have been affected but 12 members of staff have been advised to self isolate for 14 days.

Chesterfield

Parents of Year 5 students at Newbold Church of England Primary School in Cranborne Road were told to collect children on Thursday.

Coalville

A school visited by Boris Johnson on August 26 temporarily shut after a member of staff caught the disease.

The Castle Rock School hosted the Prime Minister as he went on a press tour when schools reopened after months of lockdown.

Only those staff and students who came into direct contact with the person infected will be made to stay home for two weeks, with Castle Rock due to open its doors on September 15 to everyone else.

Corby

Studfall Junior Academy said a Year 4 pupil had tested positive for Covid-19.

They are the only person that has had to self-isolate.

A member of AYear 5 group at Hazel Leys Primary Academy tested positive, meaning their bubble has been told to home school for the next 14 days.

Countesthorpe

Four members of staff have had to isolate after a teacher caught the bug at Countesthorpe Leysland Community College.

Coventry

A child in Year 1 at Parkgate Primary School has caught the bug.

Parents of all children in Year 1 at the school have been told that their child must self-isolate for 14 days as a precaution.

Elsewhere in the city Longford Park Primary School, Foxford Community School, John Gulson Primary School, Park Hill Primary School and West Coventry Academy have reported cases.

Before the weekend there were 23 confirmed cases in the city’s school system.

Croxton Kerrial

Croxton Kerrial Primary School has been closed after a positive case was reported.

Desford

Last weekend at Bosworth Academy pupil found out they had the bug.

They did not go to school on the Monday, meaning class can continue as normal.

Dudley

The Wordsley School confirmed there had been a positive case on September 8.

Grantham

All Year 7 pupils, along with four staff, have been sent home from King’s School.

Groby

Three members of staff at Brookdale Groby Learning Campus must self-isolate after catching the virus. 

Evington

Judgemeadow Community College pupils in Year 10 and 11 have been sent home after a student got the bug.

Harlow

The Freshwaters Primary Academy closed on Tuesday after a number of students displayed coronavirus symptoms.

The school announced it will stay shut until negative test results come back.

Handsworth Wood

Parents were told to pick their children up from school ‘as soon as possible’ on September 10 after a case was confirmed in Year 2 at Cherry Orchard Primary School and Nursery.

Heanor

Senior staff at Heanor Gate Science College confirmed that a year 10 pupil had contracted the disease.

But because the youngster had not been in lessons since last Friday, no other students need to self-isolate.

Howitt Primary Community School sent a number of children home, who were in the same ‘bubble’, after a Year 6 pupil also tested positive for coronavirus.

Hucknall

A member of staff at Holgate Primary and Nursery School tested positive, meaning they and 29 children were sent home.

Humberstone

A single pupil has tested positive at Merrydale Infants School.

A teacher has been infected at Falcons Primary, leading Year 4 students to self-isolate.

A Humberstone Junior Academy child also has the bug, meaning they and their bubble have to self-isolate.

Kibworth

A Year 10 student was sent home after one day back at Beauchamp College having tested positive.

Kingshurst

Tudor Grange Academy sent a letter to parents informing them that a Year 7 pupil had tested positive for Covid-19.

The pupil was not in school whilst symptomatic but in accordance with guidelines, the pupil’s tutor and support bubble will be required to self-isolate.

Leicester

The Winstanley School has recorded a case.

Parents have been urged to watch their children and get them to self-isolate if they begin showing symptoms.

A member of staff and a teacher have tested positive for the bug at New College.

A class bubble worth of pupils at English Martyrs School in Year 9 have been made to self-isolate after a pupil caught the disease.

A single case at Wyvern Primary has seen several staff and pupils embark on a period of self-isolation, while a member of staff at Ellesmere College also has the bug.

One student has been confirmed as having the virus at each of Orchard Mead Academy, Mowmacre Hill Primary, Catherine Infants School, Crown Hills Community College, City of Leicester College, Shenton Primary, Medway Primary, Overdale Infant School and Lancaster Academy.

Loughborough

Woodbrook Vale School has had to send several dozen pupils home for a fortnight after a single pupil caught the bug.

Mansfield

Two pupils at Berry Hill Primary School caught the bug, meaning two classes were put in self-isolation for two weeks.

Market Harborough

A pupil at Ridgeway Primary Academy has tested positive for the coronavirus.

They have been asked to self-isolate for 10 days.

Other pupils who were in close contact with the child have been asked to self-isolate for two weeks.

Northampton

Greenfields Specialist School for Communication has recorded a case.

Because the school is separated into zones to stop everyone mixing, only limited numbers have been sent home.

Northampton International Academy sent one bubble of students home after a teacher caught the bug.

Nuneaton

A pupil at Chetwynd Junior School tested positive.

They have been told to self-isolate for 14 days along with people close to them.

Nottingham

Mellers Primary School has been forced to close after a teacher tested positive for coronavirus.

The school confirmed a Year 1 teacher had tested positive for Covid-19 in a statement on its website.

Oadby

Brocks Hill Primary School has told two Year 3 classes worth of pupils to stay home for 14 days after two children tested positive.

A Year 10 pupil at Gartree High School tested positive, prompting the rest of the year being told to stay home until September 21.

Oldbury

Pupils at Oldbury Academy were told they must self-isolate for 14 days on Friday, September 11.

The rest of the school remains open, with children not directly affected by the case urged to attend as normal.

Radford

Mellers Primary School saw a Year 1 and Year 3 teacher test positive for coronavirus at the start of last week.

All Year 1 and Year 3 pupils were been told to stay at home for 14 days and register for a test if they feel unwell.

The school cannot currently reopen for the remaining pupils ‘for the time being’ as too many staff members are either self-isolating or getting tested.

Quinton

Year 4 pupils at World’s End Junior School have been ordered to remain at home.

Retford

A group of pupils from Carr Hill Primary School were sent home and told to self-isolate for 14 days after there was a positive case on-site.

The school remains open.

Rocester

The JCB Academy confirmed a positive case after being one of the first schools in England to reopen in August.

It was closed on Friday September 4 as a precaution but reopened the following on Monday with around 100 students self-isolating.

Rothwell

A Year 10 student in Montsaye Academy has caught the bug, meaning people in their bubble were told to self-isolate.

Rugby

St Matthew’s Bloxham Primary and Bilton High Schools have also both had positive cases.

Neither of them have closed.

Saltley

Highfield Junior and Infant School in Saltley closed to pupils and staff in Year 4 and 5 after an unconfirmed number of cases.

Sandwell

Thirty students at Moat Farm Junior School were told to self-isolate on September 10, the day after Year 4 pupils and teachers from Ocker Hill Academy were sent home.

Foxyards Primary School has had to send two year groups home after an outbreak.

A bubble has been told to self-isolate following a case in Year 9 at Stuart Bathurst Catholic High School.

Wodensborough Ormiston Academy confirmed a student had tested positive, leaving 27 students and one staff member in self-isolation.

Sapcote

A child tested positive at All Saints Church of England.

Scampton

Scampton C of E Primary School sent a class load of pupils and a teacher home after a student tested positive.

Scunthorpe

St Lawrence Academy took precautionary measures after a member of staff tested positive for coronavirus.

Sheffield

On September 6 Birkdale School confirmed that sixth form students would be staying at home for two weeks following one of them testing positive for the virus.

The school’s head teacher said that sixth formers were in a bubble and, as such, only came into contact with one another.

On September 7, Chaucer School confirmed that there had been a positive case of the virus at their school.

The school said that a small number of children will have been in prolonged contact with the person who tested positive and have been asked to stay home for two weeks.

Sileby

Highgate Primary has had one confirmed case, meaning a small number of their close contacts are now in isolation.

Shepshed

A pupil from Oxley Primary School caught the bug, meaning their classmates were sent home for two weeks.

Shrewsbury

A member of staff at Shrewsbury Academy tested postive for Covid 19 and has immediately isolated.

The school has not shut, despite parents worried by reports on social media queueing outside the school in the middle of the day to collect their children.

Skellingthorpe

A member of staff at the Holt Primary School tested positive, meaning they, three colleagues and 30 children have to self-isolate.

The school currently remains open to all other pupils.

Solihull

Coleshill Heath School informed parents of a positive case on September 9.

It was not confirmed whether a pupil or staff member was the confirmed case and the affected class bubble has been shut.

A person also tested positive for coronavirus at Light Hall School.

Southwell

Lowe’s Wong Junior School sent 31 children home following a positive case of coronavirus on site.

Spalding

A student tested positive at Spalding High School, leaving the establishment to undertake a deep clean.

The school remains open as usual.

Sparkbrook

A Year 6 class is closed to pupils at Conway Primary School after a pupil tested positive for coronavirus.

All pupils and staff in the affected class are now self-isolating for 14 days.

Stamford

Three cases of coronavirus affecting pupils at the Stamford Endowed Schools were confirmed.

Stourport-on-Severn

Some pupils at Burlish Park Primary School have been told to isolate after a coronavirus case was reported.

Tamworth

The Rawlett School said that the staff member and a Year 8 student are self-isolating along with all other pupils in the bubble.

Approximately 200 pupils were being sent home last week.

Telford

A primary reception pupil at Hadley Learning Centre contracted the virus, meaning children in the same class must stay at home until further notice.

Towcester

One Year 9 pupil from Sponne School caught the bug, landing 15 of their classmates in self-isolation.

Trowell

A teacher at Trowell Church of England Primary School was sent to hospital but is said to be ‘in good spirits’ having tested positive for coronavirus.

Public Health England instructed that the school close for 14 days.

Waingrove

Blackthorns Primary School confirmed that 32 pupils and five members of staff were told to self-isolate on September 11.

Walsall

Grace Academy Darlaston had to send some Year 7 students home after an outbreak.

A Year 7 student at Aldridge School also caught the bug, but they had not been in school.

Wednesbury

A total of 27 pupils at Wodensborough Ormiston Academy have been forced to self-isolate following a positive case.

Parents of children in Year 9 attending Stuart Bathhurst Catholic High School in Wednesbury received a letter telling them to enforce isolation for 14 days after an outbreak.

Wellingborough

Sir Christopher Hatton Academy econdary school has confirmed a single case of coronavirus.

All year groups remain open, with a small number of students self-isolating as a precaution.

West Bridgford

Heymann Primary and Nursery School has told several pupils to self-isolate after two confirmed cases.

Wigston

A Year 12 pupil tested positive at Wigston College, meaning the year must now isolate for two weeks.

Wolverhampton

Codsall Community High School confirmed that two students, one in Year 11 and one in the Football Academy, had tested positive for Covid and their classmates had been told to self-isolate.

‘Following an in-depth analysis of our mitigation measures in school… we have been advised that the school can remain open and, providing your child remains well, they can continue to attend school as normal,’ the headteacher said in a letter to pupils.

One mother with a 15-year-old son at the school told MailOnline that he was ‘terrified’ of going back, but added that ‘if you don’t send your child to school they will fine you £80 per day’. 

Pupils at Springdale Primary School in Year 6 have been asked to self-isolate after a pupil tested positive for coronavirus, with Year 3s at Whitgreave Primary School also sent home.

Thirty pupils in Woden Primary School’s Year 6 were told to self-isolate after a student tested positive for coronavirus on September 8, three days before Codscall Community High School had a confirmed case.

All Year 11 pupils at Highfields School have had to go home, as with Year 8s at Bilbrook Middle School

Amethyst Sixth closed to its 250 students after a teacher tested positive for coronavirus, while East Park Academy sent home two different year groups after two students tested positive for coronavirus.

A member of staff at Royal Primary School caught the bug, meaning around 100 people had to self-isolate.

Two members of staff at Ormiston SWB Academy caught the disease.

Wyre Forest

Pupils in two reception classes at Burlish Park Primary School have been told to self-isolate following a positive case.

Wythall

A Year 7 class at Woodrush High School is self-isolating for 14 days after a pupil tested positive for coronavirus.

EAST ANGLIA

Beechdale

Robert Shaw Primary and Nursery School has told Year 5s to self-isolate after a teacher caught the disease.

Haverhill

Five members of staff tested positive at Samuel Ward Academy.

The school closed on Monday for a deep clean to be carried out and so the headteacher can establish who the staff members have been in contact with.

It reopened on Wednesday.

Hitchin

Hitchin Boys’ School closed after a member of staff tested positive.

A ‘significant number’ of other staff are having to self isolate and a ‘few cases’ where pupils had closer contact with the staff member.

Head teacher Fergal Moane confirmed the school is looking at a mixture of remote and on-site learning for the two week period.

Kings Langley

There has been a positive Covid-19 test of a Year 5 student at Kings Langley Primary School.

The year five bubble were told to self-isolate for 14 days.

Norwich

A pupil or member of staff at George White Junior School was told to self-isolate for 14 days after testing positive for the coronavirus.

Old Buckenham

Old Buckenham High School closed last week after a member of staff tested positive.

Radlett

A ‘small number of pupils’ tested positive at the Hertsmere Jewish Primary School and three classes have been self-isolating as a result.

Welwyn Garden City

A student at the Stanborough School tested positive for Covid-19. The whole year 8 cohort was told to self isolate for 14 days as a result.

SOUTH EAST

Aylesford

A Year 6 pupil from Valley Invicta Primary School tested positive and the whole year group were told to self isolate.

Aylesbury

A student at Aylesbury Grammar School has tested positive for Covid-19.

One form group from Year 8 has been told to isolate as a result.

Ashford

There has been a case reported at Echelford Primary School.

Battle

Claverham Community College has had a confirmed case of Covid-19 but remains open.

Bracknell

Parents of students at Garth Hill College, Edgbarrow and The Brakenhale School have received letters warning that there have been outbreaks.

Four students from Garth Hill’s sixth form are in isolation as are an unspecified number from Brakenhale’s Year 13.

It is not known what year has been affected from Edgebarrow.

Bromley

Bromley College has been deep cleaned after a staff member tested positive for coronavirus – though students have been told to still attend.

Red Hill Primary School confirmed an individual at the school has coronavirus and that everyone who was considered a ‘close contact’ has been asked to self-isolate for 14 days.

Bushey

Two members of staff tested positive at the Bushey Meads Academy and were sent home immediately.

No students have been in close contact with the staff members.

The headteacher says the school is safe and all necessary Public Health England advice is being followed.

Chelmsford

The head teacher of Great Baddow High School in Chelmsford confirmed that one of the pupils at the institution has received a positive diagnosis for Covid-19.

Chesham

An unknown number of pupils at Chesham Grammar School caught the virus last week.

Most of them are said to have been infected abroad during the school holidays.

The school had not reopened when the cases were confirmed.

Chobham

A pupil at Valley End C of E Infant School caught the bug.

Croydon

A staff member at Ridgeway Primary School and Nursery tested positive last Saturday – a couple of days before pupils returned for the new academic year.

Dartford

‘A number of staff’ at Longfield Academy have been told to self-isolate after a member of support staff is unwell with a suspected case of Covid-19, a spokesman has said.

Given the circumstances of the case it is being treated as a confirmed case.

Didcot

Hadden Hill Nursery was be closed until September Friday 11 following an outbreak.

The nursery has not specified whether it is a child or a member of staff who has coronavirus.

Enfield

Wilbury Primary School welcomed back children on Monday but on Tuesday the school was forced to close a ‘bubble class’ after a child tested positive for the virus.

Guildford

Sandfield Primary School wrote to parents on September 7 to confirm it had sent the Year 3 bubble home after a positive case. 

Hersham

Bell Farm Primary School sent letters to parents informing them that pupils in Year 1 have contracted the virus.

Hove

Six people have now tested positive for the coronavirus at Cardinal Newman Catholic School since the start of term.

It is thought the cases are linked to an eighteenth birthday party, also attended by a Brighton, Hove And Sussex VI Form College student.

A further three students at the college contracted the disease, with nine people in total now in isolation.

Hounslow

Heston Community School has suffered one positive case.

The school has sent home one tutor group to self-isolate ‘as a precautionary measure’ but will remain open for everyone else.

Cranford Community College announced a ‘new female student’ had received a positive test.

A total of 27 students and two teachers who had been in contact with her have been told to self-isolate.

Isle of Wight

Cowes Primary School sent letters to parents saying an individual had coronavirus.

The council said the school is following the advice of Public Health England and has asked the other children in that class bubble, the teacher and teaching assistant to self-isolate for 14 days.

Maidenhead

Manor Green School is the latest school to see positive test result.

Headteacher Joolz Scarlett said: ‘Opening the school in an international pandemic is not without risk, and were a special school, so so some pupils have very complex special needs which make them vulnerable.

‘So we have given parents the option to continue home schooling.

‘Very few parents have taken us up on that offer and most pupils are in.’

Marlow

There has been an outbreak amongst Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School pupils.

It is not known how many pupils were affected.

Medway

A Strood Academy employee and three other members of staff have been advised to self isolate after a positive case at the school. 

Oxford

The Cherwell School advised pupils and parents that an unnamed employee had contracted Covid-19 and was self-isolating.

Students are still expected to come to school.

Reading

A ‘class bubble’ at Katesgrove Primary School, 30 pupils plus a teacher and an assistant, were sent home after a positive test this week.

They must now self-isolate for a period of 14 days.

Rayleigh

A member of staff at Sweyne Park School tested positive for the virus.

Any other staff member or pupil who came into close contact with the affected person has been sent home.

Sittingbourne

Five schools in Sittingbourne have been hit with coronavirus outbreaks.

Slough

It has been confirmed Upton Court Grammar School in Slough has had a pupil test positive for the virus.

Snodland

An entire primary school class was sent home after several children fell ill with symptoms of coronavirus at St Katherine’s School.

An entire primary school class was sent home after several children fell ill with symptoms of coronavirus.

Staines

Ashford Park Primary School wrote to parents on September 4 saying: ‘We have been advised by Public Health England that there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the school.’

It is not yet known whether the confirmed case was a pupil or member of staff at the school.

There has also been a confirmed case at Laleham Primary School.

Sutton

The whole of Year 2 at Devonshire Primary School has been told to stay at home for two weeks following an infection.

Sydenham

Parents of pupils in Year 4 at Adamsrill Primary School received an email informing them of a positive Covid-19 test and were told to keep their children home.

Thatcham

Kennet School confirmed on September 10 that a student has contracted the virus just days after schools reopened.

Tottenham

A school in Tottenham has closed for two days after confirming two cases of coronavirus.

The two positive cases at Duke’s Aldridge Academy are in Year 7 and Year 8, and all pupils in those years have been sent home ‘until further notice’.

Virginia Water

Trumps Green Infant School has had a positive case amongst either the students or teachers.

Wandsworth

St Michael’s Primary School parents were told on Tuesday that a case had been recorded. Children in the bubbles affected were sent home and told to self-isolate for 14 days.

Woking

Winston Churchill School has had a teacher or student test positive.

SOUTH WEST

Bristol

One Year 6 child has been diagnosed with the bug at Shirehampton Primary School.

The entire year group is self-isolating for 14 days.

Two Mile Hill Primary School tested positive leading 160 students of mixed ages to self-isolate.

John William Oasis Academy saw one confirmed case, leading all of Year 7 to isolate.

Kings’ Forest Primary School had one Year 1 pupil test positive, with the result being their 27 class mates being put in isolation.

Calne

St Margaret’s Preparatory School has asked all 27 pupils and three staff in Year 3 to self-isolate for 14 days.

Plymouth

A student at Plymouth College tested positive for coronavirus.

The private school, located in Ford Park, confirmed a Year 11 day pupil has received a positive result for Covid-19 and the whole Year 11 ‘year group bubble’ will isolate at home for a quarantine period of 14 days.

Sherborne

The Gryphon School said that staff and students who had been in close contact with a Year 13 student who tested positive have been identified and advised to self-isolate.

Sturminster

Yewstock School is now undergoing a deep clean meaning classrooms are remaining shut to students.

Swanage

St Mark’s Primary School said it would shut for two weeks after a staff member caught the bug.

Swindon

A pupil tested positive for Lainesmead Primary School, meaning their Year 5 bubble has been made to self-isolate.

Trowbridge

One pupil and four members of staff at St Augustine’s Catholic College tested positive, landing 160 people with two weeks of self-isolation.

Western-super-Mare

Hans Price Academy will stay open after a teacher tested positive over the weekend.

Winscombe

Churchill Academy has asked 57 pupils to stay home for a fortnight after one student caught Covid-19.

Wimborne

Merley First School, near Bournemouth has reported confirmed cases.

Royal Wootton Bassett

A pupil at Royal Wootton Bassett Academy has tested positive for coronavirus, leaving 284 Year 9s to self isolate until 25 September.

Wales 

Bridgend

Bridgend council has confirmed a case at two schools this week.

Both Ysgol Bryn Castell in Brynmenyn and Maesteg School have been affected by staff having tested positive.

Pupils are to return as planned on Monday, aside from Key Stage 4 students at Ysgol Bryn Castell who will come back on September 21.

Carmarthen

There was one positive test recorded at Ysgol y Dderwen primary in Carmarthen.

The council said the school were dealing with the case ‘in line with its test, trace and protect procedures’.

Cwmbran

Torfaen council confirmed a staff case at Woodlands Community primary in Cwmbran.

The member of staff did not come into contact with pupils.