Coronavirus: Reception bubble closed for two weeks after school staff member tests positive in Hemel Hempstead

A primary school in Hemel Hempstead has closed a Reception class bubble after a member of staff tested positive for coronavirus at the weekend.

The headteacher of Lime Walk Primary School sent a letter to all parents on Monday explaining what had happened.

One parent - who asked not to be named - said they felt the school should be shut for two weeks as a result, not just the bubble.

Headteacher of Lime Walk Primary School, Andrew Kerse said: “We can confirm that a member of staff tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday after she experienced symptoms on Saturday morning and was tested the same day.

“I would like to reassure parents, pupils and the whole school community that the school has followed all of the necessary health and safety procedures, as directed by Public Health England (PHE), who were informed as soon as we were told of the positive result.

“The affected member of staff was teaching within a bubble of eight reception class pupils who attended school for a short ‘stay and play’ session on Friday, for just over an hour.

"The Reception class bubble was closed for two weeks on Monday, to allow pupils and staff to self-isolate for the necessary 14-day period.

"This means that all members of staff and children for Reception class will not start school until Monday September 21.

“As part of a rapid risk assessment from PHE, four other members of staff, who worked alongside the person affected, will also be self-isolating for two weeks.

"A deep-clean of the Reception class was carried out on Monday and will continue daily.

"All of our classrooms have thorough daily cleaning protocols in place, in line with government coronavirus health and safety procedures.

“Again, I would like to reassure all of our parents that the school has acted upon this information promptly and effectively and that the safety of the children, my staff and the whole community is of paramount importance.

"Bubble groups in schools have been established for exactly this scenario, as a way to minimise contact and reduce the transmission of coronavirus.

“Our thoughts are currently with the member of staff affected and the whole school wishes her a speedy recovery.”