Whole year group sent home from Northampton school after positive Covid case

Parents and teaching unions are calling for a switch to online learning for the last few days before the holidays as kids will still be in school up to December 18
The school, a former Royal Mail sorting office, sent home its older children on Friday.The school, a former Royal Mail sorting office, sent home its older children on Friday.
The school, a former Royal Mail sorting office, sent home its older children on Friday.

All year 11 students were sent home on Friday from Northampton International Academy, the Chronicle & Echo has learned.

The school made the decision after one pupil tested positive for coronavirus last week.

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A spokeswoman for Northampton International Academy told this newspaper: “Our year 11 pupils are currently self-isolating due to a positive Covid test result within the year group.

"Because of the nature of the key stage 4 curriculum and timetable, it is not possible to operate tutor group bubbles and so unfortunately the whole year group is affected.

“We have well established contingency plans in place and our year 11 pupils are now receiving their full timetable of lessons remotely. We look forward to welcoming them back into school.”

Education chiefs have no plans to shut schools early to protect Northamptonshire's kids and teachers from the possibility of spending Christmas isolating from their families.

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Anyone testing positive for Covid-19 must self-isolate for ten days while those identified as close contacts by Test and Trace need to self-isolate for two weeks.

On the same Friday (December 4), Ofsted made a visit to the school for a one-day inspection.

The spokeswoman added: “Northampton International Academy hosted a visit from Ofsted on Friday, the focus of which was to look at leadership and management and safeguarding.

“It was a productive yet rigorous visit and we are fully committed to making any improvements that are needed once we receive the inspectors’ report.”