Peterborough schools confirm positive Covid tests as two close to several year groups until 2021

The Thomas Deacon Academy will remain closed to years 9, 10 and 11 from today (November 7) for the remainder of the academic year and will return on Tuesday January 5 2021.

The academy will remain open for all other years, as will the Junior Academy.

Principal Rick Carroll said: “A meeting took place late on Friday with the Local Authority, Public Health England, and other partners to review the increase in Covid cases in the PE1 area. All partners are very complimentary of the Covid secure measures we have put in place at TDA. However, this morning we have confirmed the decision that all Year 9, 10 and 11s will have to stay at home for the next two weeks. Therefore, students in Year 9,10 and 11 will now not return to school until the start of the Spring term on 5th January 2021.

“The remote learning will take place through Teams class sites and your children should access their accounts for the details of the work which will be set.

“Lessons will start at the normal timetable start times. Reminder details for students on how to access Teams and for parents on how to check on timetables will be sent out on Monday.”

Jack Hunt School also confirmed online that they would be moving Years 9 and 12 to online learning, with a note being sent to parents to confirm this.

The third school affected is Lime Academy Watergall, in Bretton. Headteacher Angela Wood confirmed on Monday that a class in Year 3 had to self-isolate for a period of 14 days after a member of the teaching staff tested positive for Covid-19.

A letter to parents read: “We have been notified by our supply agency that a member of staff that was in school on Tuesday has tested positive for Covid-19 over the weekend. This member of staff was teaching in Year 3.

“We have taken advice from the local authority and Public Health England and at this point we only need to close the class group.

“If your child is well at the end of the 14 day period they will be able to return to school on Friday December 18. Other members of your household can continue normal activities provided your child does not develop symptoms within the 14 day self-isolation period.

“If their test is positive they will need to self-isolate for 10 dyas from the date their symptoms start. All your household members must self-isolate for 14 days.”