QUEENSBURY Academy has clarified its handling of Covid-19 within the school after questions were raised over which pupils had been sent home to isolate following a positive test. 

Concern was raised that only the children sat next to the person who tested positive for the virus were being sent home, rather than the entire bubble, leaving parents unaware of positive tests within their child's year bubble.

A spokesperson for the school said: “Following a student testing positive for Covid-19, we have worked in close consultation with Public Health England to follow and immediately implement all of the necessary actions which will help ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and wider school community.

“This includes undertaking a robust close proximity contact assessment to identify a select number of students who need to self-isolate as a precautionary measure.

"Whilst we operate strict social bubbles to help limit transmission of the virus across the school, in line with the Government’s protocols for secondary schools it is not necessary for the whole social bubble to self-isolate and instead only those identified as close proximity contacts to the confirmed case are required to self-isolate.

“Alongside safeguarding our students and staff, we are committed to minimising disruption to student learning as much as possible. Despite having high-quality remote learning resources available for those who are self-isolating, we are clear that where safe to do so, and following all Government guidance, students should be in school and receiving their learning in the classroom.

“We regularly communicate with all parents and carers, with the immediate priority being to contact those who have children that need to self-isolate, so that rapid action can be taken to limit the spread of the virus. The school continues to be safe to remain open to all other students who have not been requested to self-isolate, and we will be continuing to work closely with health experts, including Public Heath England and the Health and Safety Executive, to ensure we are implementing all necessary safety precautions.”