School closes to two year groups for second time this term amid staff Covid cases

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A high school has closed to two full year groups for the second time this term because of positive Covid cases among staff.

We reported last week how pupils in Years 8 and 9 at Fred Longworth High School, in Tyldesley, Wigan, were told to 'remain at home with immediate effect'.

Headteacher Paul Davies told the Manchester Evening News the level of absence - 16 teaching staff absent and four non-teaching staff - was 'unprecedented' and they had no choice other than to switch certain year groups to remote learning.

Those year groups returned last Wednesday, but with Covid-related absences continuing, Year 9 pupils have been asked to stay home once again, this time with Year 10 too. READ MORE: Parents brand Child Maintenance Service 'a joke' and too easy to dodge payments In a letter to parents, the head said: "You may already be aware that a significant number of our staff are having to self-isolate, and last week we unfortunately reached the point where we could not safely staff the school. "Although there is no legal requirement for people who have tested positive for Covid-19 to self-isolate, there are still very clear guidelines in place for educational settings.