Children told to self-isolate after staff member tests positive at primary school in Blackpool

Parents were alerted to the confirmed case of coronavirus at Boundary Primary School in Grange Park yesterday afternoon (Thursday, September 24).

The school said it had been informed of the staff member's positive test result by Public Health England, prompting it to send home all Year 6 pupils on Thursday.

It said all other year groups will remain open and children should attend school as normal.

Year 6 children have been advised to self-isolate for 14 days - until Tuesday, October 6 - which suggests that pupils last came into contact with the infected staff member on Tuesday (September 22).

An announcement was made on the school's Facebook page yesterday, but this has since been removed. However, the school has confirmed the incident to the Gazette this morning (Friday, September 25).

In a letter to parents, the school said: "We have been advised by Public Health England that there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the school.

"We have been directed that currently, our Year 6 children should self-isolate for 14 days (until Tuesday, October 6).

"This means children should not attend school, play out, visit shops or leave their homes.

"Public Health Blackpool are considering appropriate actions and if this advice changes, we will contact the Year 6 parents/carers directly.

"Remote home learning will begin for Year 6 children tomorrow morning (Friday, September 25).

"All other year groups in school will remain open and children should attend as normal.

"In light of this development, please can we remind you to remain socially distanced and wear a face covering when dropping off and collecting your child(ren).

"We want to keep all of our children, parents and staff as safe as possible and reduce the risk of transmission."

You can find a list of Lancashire schools that have been forced to close or send children home due to coronavirus here.