Public Health England South West and Bath & North East Somerset Council are working together to support staff at East Harptree Church of England School following two confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the school.

Following advice from Public Health England, East Harptree Church of England School will close for fourteen days.

Public Health England South West and Bath & North East Somerset Council are working to support staff at the school which closed on Monday following one confirmed case – a second has since been reported.

Parents have been informed and the school aims to reopen on Monday, October 5th, the fourteen days having been taken from the last date of exposure to one of the probable cases.

The school is following the existing guidance for non-clinical settings advice, including providing staff and pupils with guidance on social distancing and hygiene to limit spread. The school is now being deep cleaned.

All staff who are deemed to have been close contacts of the confirmed cases have been notified and advised to self-isolate as per guidance. Contacts of the confirmed cases should get tested if they go on to develop symptoms of Covid. Contacts without symptoms do not need to be tested.

Dr Bruce Laurence, Director for Public Health at Bath & North East Somerset, said: “We are working with the school and PHE to manage the situation and keep our community safe.

“We ask everyone to continue to follow the guidance on hand washing, mask wearing, social distancing and self-isolation.”

Gary Lewis, Chief Executive of the Lighthouse Schools Partnership, which runs the school, said: “The school and Trust have had excellent support and very clear guidance from the Health Protection Team and from Bath & North East Somerset Council.

“We are confident that strong measures to limit the outbreak were put in place within hours of the first case being confirmed.

“We are keeping parents updated and hope to be able to reopen the school on

October 5th.”

Jane Bailey, Headteacher, added: “The school has immediately switched its provision online and will be supporting families in Home Learning so that pupils can maintain their progress and interaction with each other.”

Mike Wade, Deputy Director of Health Protection at Public Health England South West, said: “PHE South West is continuing to support the school. Good hygiene is the best prevention and there are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself, your family and colleagues by washing your hands regularly and thoroughly and if you cough, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue.”