58 bubbles now closed in Worcestershire's schools and colleges

The county council have now recommended all parents and carers wear masks when on school property as the number of 'burst bubbles' soars to 58.

Dr. Kathryn Cobain, Director for Public Health in Worcestershire said: “As at end of yesterday we had 58 bubbles/partial bubbles closed in 30 schools and colleges and 2,400 pupils affected.

"In some schools it is physically difficult for parents to adhere to two metre social distancing, so we are following recommendations and advising that parents should wear face coverings when they enter all school sites.

"Our schools are following the government guidance and no circuit breaker is planned. Should the Government’s position change on this, we will of course support our schools in delivering the necessary actions.

"As we approach half term I would ask all our school communities to really consider who you mix with and spend time with over the holidays.

"Now is not the time to visit your elderly and vulnerable relatives and we should all be following the rule of 6, not meeting up in big groups.

"Let’s keep Worcestershire in tier one of measures, and stay safe this half term.”

Here is the latest from our schools:

A member of staff at Tudor Grange Academy has tested positive for Covid-19.

David Butler, principal, said: "We have been alerted to a positive case of Covid-19 in a member of our staff who contacted the academy to say that she had tested positive.

"The member of staff was required to have a test after coming into contact outside of school with someone who tested positive."

The school say the infected member of staff has not been in school since Tuesday [October 13] and will remain isolated based on Government guidelines.

Biology department is isolating at the King's School.

King’s School Worcester has isolated its biology department and learning skills team following a member of staff in each department testing positive for Covid-19.

The remaining staff have ‘all returned negative results,’ and continue to provide lessons remotely to pupils who are in school and also those who are self-isolating at home with hybrid online learning.

The staff and pupils who identified as proximity contacts with the members of staff have also been asked to self-isolate, and the areas where the infected staff were situated were immediately deep cleaned and left empty over the weekend.

Worcester Sixth Form announces circuit breaker.

This weekend Worcester Sixth Form College announced it would not be open to students for the following two weeks after a ‘handful’ of coronavirus cases at the setting.

An email sent to students and parents on Saturday night said a member of support staff had tested positive for Covid.

The employee had not had close contact with students, however they had been in contact with a number of staff who are now required to self-isolate.

A spokeswoman for the school said: “We will follow the lead of a number of other colleges and schools and have a two-week period where students are not in college as a circuit break measure.

“This will take immediate effect and will mean that college will be closed to all students and teaching delivered remotely during the week commencing 19 October.”

Parents asked to wear masks on the school run.

Meanwhile Red Hill Primary School announced that parents and carers would be asked to wear masks when dropping off and collecting children.

Headteacher of the school, Spencer Morris said on Friday: “Today’s local and national news shows a concerning picture with the rise of positive cases of Covid-19. Since September, some 40 schools and colleges (20%) in Worcestershire have closed down bubbles at some point this term.

“Due to this news, to protect our pupils and our staff and keep our attendance high, we are asking from Monday (October 19) for all parents and carers to wear a face covering once on site. This will be for everyone’s safety, including the most vulnerable members of our school community.”