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Sittingbourne schools 'hit by Covid'

Just days before Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to lift Covid restrictions and do away with classroom 'bubbles', four Sittingbourne schools are said to have been hit by outbreaks of coronavirus.

Fulston Manor in Brenchley Road has confirmed four positive cases and sent 73 pupils home.

Fulston Manor School, Sittingbourne
Fulston Manor School, Sittingbourne

A spokesman said: "We have had three positive cases with a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test and one positive LFD (lateral flow) result. As a result we have asked 73 to remain at home. Some of them will return if the PCR following LFD is negative."

She added: "A further 10 are self-isolating as they are contacts of positive cases outside of school.

According to unconfirmed reports the town's two grammar schools have also been hit along with a junior school.

Highsted Girls Grammar in Highstead Road is said to have had a Year 10 pupil tested positive with others still awaiting their results.

Borden Grammar in the Avenue of Remembrance was reported to have a boy off on Friday with Covid.

Borden Grammar School, Avenue of Remembrance, Sittingbourne. Picture: Andy Payton
Borden Grammar School, Avenue of Remembrance, Sittingbourne. Picture: Andy Payton

Minterne Junior School in Minterne Road was said to have some boys isolating at home. But none of the schools could confirm the cases this afternoon.

Highsted said: "We won't be commenting." Borden's head teacher Ashley Tomlin was "not available." Minterne denied there had been any positive cases but added it would not comment anyway.

Schools no longer have to report cases to Kent County Council.

Shellina Prendergast, the council's cabinet member for education, said: “Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic we have advised and encouraged all Kent schools and early years settings to follow the latest government guidance, and this advice remains in place as restrictions continue to lift.

Shellina Prendergast of Kent County Council. Picture: Andy Jones
Shellina Prendergast of Kent County Council. Picture: Andy Jones

“Teachers and staff have done a fantastic job educating and supporting the county’s children and young people in very difficult circumstances and I would like to, once again, thank them on behalf of everyone at Kent County Council.

"I am confident that as life begins to return to normal over the coming months, those same staff will adapt their ways of working as necessary to continue doing what’s best for our children and young people and helping them to move forward.”

Prime Minister Johnson is planning to end school 'bubbles' on Monday, July 19, in what has been dubbed England's new "freedom day."

But Covid cases in Sittingbourne have shown a rapid rise in the latest seven-day period to Friday, July 2.

Sittingbourne South and Bapchild was up 83.3% with 11 cases and Borden and The Meads was up 350% with 14 cases. Sittingbourne East also recorded a 350% rise with nine cases and Newington, Halstow and Upchurch was up 300% with eight cases.

Read more: All the latest news from Sittingbourne

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