Northamptonshire school shuts two year groups "until further notice" as Covid causes staff shortages
Moulton School forced into "difficult decision" to have Year 8 and Year 9 all learn at home from Monday
Staff shortages caused by Covid-19 are forcing a Northamptonshire school to shut two year groups "until further notice."
Moulton School and Science College broke the news to parents in a letter on Friday that all Year 8 and Year 9 bubbles — around 480 students — will be taught at home from Monday.
Headteacher Angie Dabbs also revealed that other schools in the area are having to take similar decisions.
Mrs Dabs said: "Due to reduced numbers of both pastoral and academic staff, we have made the difficult decision that Year 8 and Year 9 pupils should not attend school from Monday 23rd November, until further notice.
"We are not advising pupils in Year 8 and 9 to self-isolate unless they have shown Covid-19 symptoms or been identified as a close contact. But students need to be at home completing set work during normal school hours.
"As you may know, many other schools in the area have had to take similar decisions. I understand that this step may cause you inconvenience, for which I can only apologise. The decision has been taken reluctantly and with no clear alternative course of action at this time, given the current situation.
"When a whole year group has to work remotely for several days or more, we have more capacity to provide additional support."
"As soon as the situation allows us to open to all year groups again, I will be in touch via letter, the school website, social media and text."
Northamptonshire County Council today revealed that around eight per cent of students are not learning in school either as a result of having a positive Covid-19 test or being told to self-isolate after being in direct contact with a positive test.
But Paul Andrews. from the county's education department, added that 99 per cent of the county's schools remained open up to last Friday (November 13).