A PRIMARY school has been forced to close this week due to Covid-19.

Bradford Council issued an alert about the closure of Oldfield Primary this morning, saying further information would follow once PCR results were received.

Gill Holland – chief executive officer of the Bronte Academy Trust, of which Oldfield is a part – said the school had “no alternative” but to shut.

She added: “Oldfield is the smallest of our schools within the trust – with only three classes and limited facilities such as toilets, dining space and outdoor play areas, which all the school inevitably has to share.

“We are proud that we have avoided the level of closures seen across the district. This is down to the fabulous support from our parents and community and the commitment and dedication of the staff – headed-up by Mr Travers, the headteacher – who have taken on more and more responsibility to avoid closure. Unfortunately – after rigorous risk assessments, as advised by the Department for Education – we had no alternative but to close the three classes following confirmation of PCR, affecting 70 children in all. This is particularly sad as we reach the last week of the school year – a time we would normally be celebrating the success of our children.

“Mr Travers, the staff and myself would like to take this opportunity to wish our fabulous year-six children all the best for the next stage in their school lives.”