A number of pupils are self-isolating after a student at Grey Court School in Ham tested positive for Covid-19.

Sixteen of the school's Year 11 students are in self isolation, headteacher Chris Rhodes said.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "Due to a Year 11 student receiving confirmation of a positive case for Covid 19, it was necessary for 16 other Year 11 students to self isolate.

"Following guidance from Public Health England these students were tracked and identified as having prolonged periods of contact with the positive case, in addition all classrooms and communal areas affected have been thoroughly deep cleaned.

"The student has now fully recovered and will return to school at the end of the isolation period."

Grey Court is a large secondary school in Ham Street with a sixth form.

Mr Rhodes explained how staff were able to identify from prepared materials such as seating plans any student who would have been in contact with the student who tested positive "based upon the criteria provided by PHE".

He added: "I write to our community in the spirit of openness, transparency, and cooperation. This is currently an isolated case and should be treated as such.

"We will always inform the community of all matters Covid and if we ever receive positive test results we are thoroughly prepared to maintain the harmonious running of the school, maintain our outstanding educational provision, and safeguard the wellbeing of all members of our student body and staff."

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