Smethwick school closed to 400 pupils after suspected coronavirus case
A Black Country primary school has closed to about 400 students after a staff member was suspected of catching coronavirus.
Crocketts Primary School, in Smethwick, closed to students in Years 1 to 6 on Monday and Tuesday and has undergone cleaning, says Sandwell Council.
The school is awaiting the test results for the affected staff member - who is self-isolating - before it will review the situation on when students can return.
Parents, guardians and carers have been asked to keep children at home in the meantime and not allow them to mix with others outside their household, including family members.
Five members of staff who had direct contact with the affected staff member are also self-isolating.
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The school has remained open to children in nursery and reception because they only started school this week and were not in last week.
The school is working with Sandwell Council’s Public Health team and Public Health England to manage the situation.
Responded
Sandwell’s Director of Public Health Lisa McNally said: “A member of staff at the school is unwell and is waiting for the results of a Covid-19 test.
“The school has been closed as a precaution and I’d like to thank the school for working with the council and Public Health England on this.
“The school has responded exactly as they should have done. They contacted PHE and the council immediately.
“The school already had very good infection control procedures in place which will have helped minimise any potential spread.
“However, we do have to think about the health of our children and that’s why we’ve advised that the school remains closed for now to pupils who were in school last week.”
Head teacher Lynne Paino said: “Obviously we’re disappointed that we’ve had to close but the health of our children is our top priority.
“We’re working closely with the council and PHE and we hope school will be able to re-open soon.”
Parents, guardians and carers have been informed of the school’s closure and are advised to watch out for updates on the school's ClassDojo site.
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Crocketts Community Primary School in Smethwick will reopen to all pupils tomorrow (Wednesday 9 September) after a member of staff suspected to have Covid-19 received a negative test result.
The school had been closed to Years 1-6 on Monday and Tuesday. All pupils can return from Wednesday 9 September.
Head teacher Lynne Paino said: “We’re thrilled to be able to welcome all of our children back tomorrow. We have very strong infection control measures in place to ensure our pupils are as safe as they possibly can be. I’d like to thank all of our children, parents, guardians and carers for being so understanding.”
Sandwell’s Director of Public Health Lisa McNally said: “The staff at Crocketts Community Primary are to be commended for reacting swiftly and robustly to this situation. By doing so they minimised risk to the school pupils, staff and local community.”
