Coronavirus case at Wednesbury school

The Covid-19 case was confirmed within the Year 9 bubble at Stuart Bathurst Catholic High School, where a number of pupils in the same year are self-isolating after displaying symptoms, a letter shared online says.

In the letter to parents, headteacher Bridget Morris says: "We have been advised by Public Health England that there has been a confirmed case of Covid-19 within the Year 9 bubble, in addition there are some children who have displayed Covid-19 symptoms in this year group and are self-isolating, awaiting tests.

"Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus will be a mild illness. Following advice from PHE I have consulted with the chair of the School Improvement Board and have asked parents of the Year 9 pupils that they must stay at home from tomorrow for 14 days self-isolating.

"As we have operated a very strict system with regards to year groups mixing and have zones all aspects of school life including toilets and canteen services there is no need for us to take further action with any other year groups.

"School is open for all other year groups as usual. If you have a child who has a sibling in Year 9 they will be expected to attend school as normal.

"I appreciate that this is a very worrying time for you but this action will allow us to firstly stop the spread of the virus in the Year 9 bubble. Measures are already in place to ensure that students in this year group receive remote learning of their full timetable."