Entire year of 230 students is sent home from school after positive Covid tests

Entire year of 230 students is sent home from school after positive Covid tests less than a week into return to school

  • Whole of Year 10 at Budmouth Academy in Dorset are back to remote learning
  • The pupils had only returned to school on Monday for first time since January
  • They must now isolate for 10 days before they can return to school on March 23
  • Parents voiced concerns that disruption is putting strain on children’s wellbeing

An entire year of 230 students has been sent home from school after positive Covid cases were identified.

The whole of Year 10 at Budmouth Academy in Weymouth, Dorset, are back to remote learning less than a week after they returned to the classroom.

The cases, for which the number has not been specified, were identified through the school’s testing programme, which has seen each student tested twice already.

The majority of Year 10 students had only returned to school on Monday for the first time since January as part of the first step on the roadmap out of lockdown.

The whole of Year 10 at Budmouth Academy (pictured above) in Weymouth, Dorset, are back to remote learning less than a week after they returned to the classroom

The pupils must now isolate for 10 days before they can return to their classrooms on March 23, after taking a third coronavirus test.

Parents have voiced concerns that the disruption to their children’s lives is putting a strain on their wellbeing.

One parent of a Year 10 student, who asked to remain anonymous, said: ‘It is so disappointing for my daughter who was really excited to get back to school and see her friends after remote learning for more than two months.

‘She is absolutely gutted. She has been so fed up during lockdown and now she is pretty upset to be isolating again – it is not good for children to be stuck at home.

‘However, we do all understand that we have to stick to the rules and follow the guidelines.’

In a letter sent to parents on Wednesday, principal David Herbert said: ‘The testing programme today has identified some positive cases of Covid-19 in Year 10 at Budmouth Academy.

In a letter sent to parents on Wednesday, principal David Herbert (pictured above) said: 'The testing programme today has identified some positive cases of Covid-19 in Year 10'

In a letter sent to parents on Wednesday, principal David Herbert (pictured above) said: ‘The testing programme today has identified some positive cases of Covid-19 in Year 10’

‘We have followed the national guidance and been in communication with the Department for Education and Public Health England.

‘Following a risk assessment, we have been advised to close Budmouth Academy to all Year 10 students and they are being instructed to remain at home and self-isolate for ten days. 

‘They are not required to take any further action unless they develop symptoms, or feel unwell.

‘It is very unfortunate that we have had to take this action so soon after returning, however, it is in the best interests of our school and wider community that we do so.’