Haverhill School Shuts After Covid-19 Outbreak

Public Health England's advised a school in Suffolk to remain closed today after five of its teachers tested positive for coronavirus.

Two other members of staff at the Samuel Ward Academy in Haverhill are waiting for get their results.

The school says the closure is a "precautionary measure" and it's hoping to reopen tomorrow.

In a letter to parents, headtecaher Andy Hunter, said: “The safety of pupils and all those who work at the school is my biggest priority. Obviously this is a huge disappointment after working so hard to get the school back up and running.

“I will be looking closely at the systems we put in place to try to understand how the transmission occurred and to make sure we do everything possible to limit the chances of the same thing happening again.

“I am very disappointed by this disrupted start to the school term. We have taken very extensive precautions. We were delighted that term had started so well last week and were looking forward to the final two year groups starting tomorrow.

“But I have had excellent support from Public Health England, Public Health Suffolk and Suffolk County Council. We are determined to do all we can to stop the further spread of the virus and agree with the precautionary action to close the school tomorrow.”

An Incident Management Team, consisting of representatives from Public Health England, Public Health Suffolk, Children & Young People services at Suffolk County Council and the Unity Schools Partnership, has been formed to deal with this issue.