Two schools close for Covid ‘circuit breaker’ as cases of the virus rise in classrooms 

Two schools have become the first to completely close this term in a Covid ‘circuit breaker’ due to rising cases.

St Mary’s Church of England Primary in Credenhill, Hereford, closed yesterday and will not reopen until Tuesday, with pupils learning online in the meantime.

Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio, a Lancashire secondary, has also told children they will be learning remotely until at least December 2.

St Mary’s Church of England Primary in Credenhill, Hereford. It revealed the decision to close for the term was taken in partnership with Herefordshire Council 

St Mary’s told parents in a letter that the closure to all pupils was to act as ‘a “circuit breaker” and cease the transmission of Covid-19 throughout the school’.

It revealed the decision was taken in partnership with Herefordshire Council and two year groups had already been sent home as a precaution.

The letter said: ‘The purpose of this break is to act as a “circuit breaker” and cease the transmission of Covid-19 throughout the school.

‘As such the school will be completely closed to all pupils.’

Both schools which this term closed in a Covid ‘circuit breaker’ have told the pupils that they will be learning remotely in the meantime

A school spokesman added: ‘In conjunction with public health colleagues and the Local Authority we have decided a short break and working online is a sensible step to break the cycle.’

Colin Grand, principal of Darwen Aldridge, told the Manchester Evening News: ‘Like all small schools even a slight increase in staff testing positive for Covid has a significant impact on our ability to deliver face to face lessons.

‘In conjunction with PHE, the DfE and Covid guidelines we have taken the difficult decision to build in a short circuit break and move towards remote learning until 2nd December when we hope to welcome our staff and pupils back.’

Molly Kingsley, of parent group UsForThem, said: ‘It’s time we let our children get on with living their lives’

When schools returned in September many restrictions including bubbles and isolation periods were scrapped and secondary students and staff were told they no longer had to wear masks.

Molly Kingsley, of parent group UsForThem, said: ‘We’re deeply saddened to see schools closing due to Covid.

‘Kids have missed out on so much face-to-face time this year that they just need to be back in their classrooms and with their friends, learning and being children.

‘To close schools at a time when adults are about to be enjoying Christmas parties and mixing seems especially unfair.

‘It’s time we let our children get on with living their lives.’