Another staff member tests positive for coronavirus at Northampton secondary school

A second staff member is now self-isolating after recieving a positive test result for COVID-19.

Bosses are confident the staff member began to self-isolate before coming into contact with any pupils or staff, and no further bubble groups have been told to stay at home.

A spokesman for East Midlands Academy Trust, which is responsible for Northampton International Academy, has told the Chronicle & Echo: “We are following the latest Government guidelines and have robust systems in place to minimise risk and ensure our pupils and staff are as safe and well as possible during this time.

“We have implemented key stage zoning, year group bubble arrangements, the use of face masks between lessons and hand sanitiser throughout the day, and social distancing of staff, all in line with the Government guidelines. As an extra precaution, we are treating all symptoms as possible cases of Covid-19 unless a negative test result is returned.

“In this instance, a staff member who was showing suspected symptoms began self-isolating before coming into contact with any pupils, therefore the risk of transmission was minimal and all pupils who are not shielding for other reasons are continuing to attend school.”

The diagnosis comes two weeks after the first member of staff tested positive for the virus, which meant one bubble of students had to self-isolate and cleaners were brought in. Yesterday, they were finally allowed back into the school in Barrack Road.