HUNDREDS of pupils at a primary and secondary schools in Rowley Regis have been sent home to self-isolate after confirmed COVID-19 cases - according to reports.

The News has been contacted by a parent who said three year groups were sent home from Blackheath Primary last week.

They said a child and two teachers at the school in Britannia Road, Rowley Regis, had tested positive for COVID-19.

The parent, who wished to remain anonymous said: "Three year groups have been sent home from our school due to a child and two teachers testing positive.

"Yr 4 were sent home on Monday, year five were sent home on Tuesday and year six were sent home on Wednesday."

Halesowen News:

Meanwhile multiple cases of coronavirus have been confirmed at St Michael's C of E High School, in Curral Road, Rowley Regis, where a letter has been sent to parents stating that a "number of pupils have tested positive for Covid-19."

The letter from headteacher Mrs Jayne Gray states: "We are following Public Health England guidance to protect any pupils or staff who have been in direct prolonged contact with these pupils."

A spokesperson for Blackheath Primary School said: “Students and staff in some year groups are self-isolating at home following positive cases of Covid-19 in our school community. This is fully in line with all guidance to help prevent the spread of infection to others.

“We have robust infection control measures in place at the school and we are following all appropriate safety guidelines.

“We continue to work closely with Public Health England and the council to keep children and staff safe, reduce the risk of transmission and keep the impact on children’s education to a minimum.

“We are keeping parents and carers updated.”

A Sandwell Council spokesperson said: “We are working closely with all schools and academies to keep people safe during the pandemic.

“Parents and carers can be assured that schools have infection control measures in place and will contact them should they need to take any action.

“When a case is confirmed that relates to an education setting, it is reported to Public Health England, which works with the setting and council’s public health team to ensure appropriate and proportionate measures are taken.

“Each school operates in a different way and depending on a number of factors (e.g. size, level of mixing between classes, who has tested positive, etc) the school, Public Health England and Sandwell Council will decide the most appropriate risk-based action.

"Our goal is to both minimise the risk to the health of children, staff and parents as well as limiting the impact to the education our school children receive.

"Therefore the response to, for example, a single case may be very different in different schools.

“We are continuing to do all we can to keep children and young people safely back in education.

“People can continue to help reduce the risk of transmission of the virus by following government guidance, including keeping a safe distance from others, practising good hand hygiene and wearing a face covering in shops, on public transport and in other enclosed spaces.

"It is vital that anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms self-isolates and books a test.”