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Wilmington Academy confirms year 10 pupil has tested positive for Covid-19

A secondary school has confirmed a pupil has tested positive for coronavirus.

The year 10 student at Wilmington Academy in Dartford has been sent home to self-isolate for two weeks in line with public health guidelines.

A year ten pupil has tested positive for coronavirus at Wilmington Academy in Dartford. Photo: Google
A year ten pupil has tested positive for coronavirus at Wilmington Academy in Dartford. Photo: Google

All other pupils who attended lessons with the student have also been ordered to quarantine for a period of 14 days as a precaution. Six teachers have also self isolated as a precaution.

Affected areas of the school in Common Lane have been deep cleaned in line with the current guidance, but the academy will remain open to other students.

Public Health England were alerted to the case and helped carry out a risk assessment with the school.

As part of Covid-19 secure guidelines, students are allocated into "bubbles" designed to stop the transmission of the virus across the wider academy.

Classrooms have been arranged to avoid students sitting directly face to face and being in close contact with each other.

'We have undertaken a risk assessment of the situation and concluded that all other students that were in their classes should self-isolate for 14 days as a precaution...'

If a school develops multiple cases where cross transmission is a factor, the organisation will then advise whether a partial or full school closure is needed.

Staff, pupils and all those who work within the school's confines have been asked to monitor for any new Covid-19 symptoms.

A spokesman for the Leigh Academies Trust said: "We can confirm that a Year 10 student at Wilmington Academy has tested positive for COVID-19 and is now self-isolating in line with guidance we have received from Public Health England.

"Working closely with Public Health England we have undertaken a risk assessment of the situation and concluded that all other students that were in their classes should self-isolate for 14 days as a precaution and to reduce the risk of cross transmission further into their year group bubbles.

Staff and parents have been informed of the case and the school says it will continue to update them as the situation develops.

This week Principal Michael Gore wrote a letter to staff and parents to inform them of the case.

Pupils and teachers have been told to self-isolate. Stock picture
Pupils and teachers have been told to self-isolate. Stock picture

It read: "We appreciate that you may find this news concerning so early into the new academic year, but please be assured we have taken steps to act quickly to reduce the risk of cross transmission within the academy and we are working closely with Public Health England to monitor the situation.

Wilmington Academy is part of the Leigh Academies Trust, which is also responsible for Dartford schools Leigh Technology Academy and Longfield Academy.

Earlier this month a member of the admin team at the Longfield school tested positive for coronavirus and was told to self isolate, as well as other potential contacts.

For the latest coronavirus news and advice, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford

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