WIGMORE School Academy Trust have messaged parents to notify them that there has been a case of coronavirus within the school.

Dr Rob Patterson, executive headteacher at Wigmore Academy Trust wrote a letter to parents on the north Herefordshire school’s website.

He said: “I wanted to write to you at the earliest opportunity to make you aware that a member of our community has returned a positive test for coronavirus (Covid-19). I understand that this will be a worrying time for the community and wanted to set out the steps that the school will take now.

RELATED NEWS: More Covid-19 cases found in Herefordshire

“As required by the DFE, the school will now be working closely with Public Health England to co-ordinate our response and ensure that any person who has been in close and sustained contact with the individual involved is traced and asked to self-isolate. In addition to these steps the school will require the following:

“All students that are in the same ‘bubble’ will be required to work from home tomorrow, whilst we trace close contacts and minimise the risk of further spread. This is for PRIMARY YEAR 5 (Cherry Class). Work will be provided for these children through the school webpage for Cherry class.

“When in school, students should endeavour to stay at least 1 metre from each other if they are in the same bubble and ensure that they are at least 2 metres away from any member of staff or a student in another bubble.

“Face coverings on school transport will now be mandatory unless the student has an exemption note on medical grounds.

RELATED NEWS: Contact tracing app launches, how it works

“Parents should consider if their child wishes to wear a face covering throughout the day, particularly at the Primary School.

“Please note that the individual involved does not take school transport and so at present there is no elevated risk in travelling on the school bus.

“I understand that these are significant requirements we are placing on our students and indeed on you should your child be working from home, but I am determined that we will as a community continue to take a proactive approach to this menace and nip this situation in the bud.

“Can I use this opportunity to reinforce that if you or any member of your household should display symptoms of covid-19, then the whole household should self-isolate and a test should be booked for the individual with symptoms, which are:

· A high temperature

· A new and continuous cough

· A loss or change in your sense of taste or smell

“Guidance on dealing with a possible case of coronavirus at home can be found on the following website:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance

“Thank you for your help and support at this challenging time. You will understand that at present the Senior Leadership Team are extremely busy in enacting our action plan for a proven case, but please do contact the school if you have any further concerns or queries.”