Bury St Edmunds school closes after 25 staff and pupils test positive for coronavirus
A Bury St Edmunds primary school has closed after 25 staff and pupils tested postive for coronavirus.
Abbots Green Academy confirmed last week it had to close three year group bubbles due to an outbreak of Covid-19 and 'typical autumnal bugs'.
One pupil and four members of staff at the school, in Airfield Road, tested positive for coronavirus.
However, there have been further cases with the numbers standing at 13 staff and 12 pupils with all Key Stage 2 children isolating as well as 25 staff.
In a letter to parents on Wednesday, headteacher Ang Morrison said she met with Public Health England and Suffolk County Council as part of an Incident Management Team.
She said: "The Incident Management Team agreed that until today, the school would not have met any requirement to close the school.
"Since this morning, when further cases have been shared, the school has now found itself with the majority of its children isolating.
"I shared my concerns, as the numbers today increased, but had also spread beyond the first bubble being closed. I shared the need to protect other year groups, to ensure that no further bubbles needed to isolate, resulting in a loss of half-term or the start to Autumn 2. The education and well-being of our pupils will remain integral to all decisions that are made.
"As part of the meeting, the school’s risk assessment, procedures and precautionary measures were discussed in great depth. It was felt by all involved, that the school had done everything in its capacity to follow government guidance and in some cases had gone beyond expectations to keep all children safe.
"Whilst this has been an incredibly difficult decision to make, I am keen that this is received knowing that the school will always be transparent in its approach whilst putting the needs of our pupils and staff first."
Remote learning is in place for all Key Stage 2 until the end of this week.
She added they expect the school to open to all pupils on Tuesday, November 3 with the exception of Year 3 who will be returning on Wednesday, November 4.
They have had no positive cases in their Evergreen Nursery, Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 bubbles.
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