Quarry Mount Primary in Woodhouse closes after three people test positive for coronavirus

A Leeds primary school has had to close after three people tested positive for coronavirus.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Quarry Mount Primary in Pennington Street, Woodhouse, had to close on Wednesday, September 16 after learning about the Covid-19 cases.

Four classes in the Reception and Year 1 groups were sent home to self-isolate for 14 days.

Staff were also sent home to isolate.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Due to this, there was a staff shortage and the school was unable to safely open.

-> Positive coronavirus case at Leeds secondary school with more than 1400 studentsIn a letter sent to parents, headteacher Rebecca Pettman said: "I can confirm that three members of our school community have tested positive for COVID-19, after developing symptoms over the weekend.

"In line with Public Health England guidance, the four classes affected (with Reception and Year 1 forming one bubble) were sent home and will now need to self-isolate for 14 days.

"Unfortunately, given the number of staff that are now at home self-isolating, we do not have enough staff in school to safely stay open.

Three people tested positive for coronavirus at Quarry Mount Primary in Pennington Street, Woodhouse.Three people tested positive for coronavirus at Quarry Mount Primary in Pennington Street, Woodhouse.
Three people tested positive for coronavirus at Quarry Mount Primary in Pennington Street, Woodhouse.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"We are working closely with Leeds City Council to make sure we can re-open to those children who do not need to self-isolate as soon as we are safely able to do so.

"We appreciate that you and your children might feel anxious at the moment. Please be assured that the health and safety of our children and staff is our top priority.

"We continue to follow national guidance and have robust procedures in place to help limit the spread of COVID-19. We will let you know as soon as we have an update about the school re-opening."

The school confirmed on Twitter that it would remain shut on Friday, September 18.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The government has advised schools to separate pupils into bubbles to reduce contact and limit the transmission of coronavirus.

In secondary schools, the government advice is to separate the bubbles into year groups in order to "enable schools to deliver the full range of curriculum subjects and students to receive specialist teaching."

This means there is no mixing between the year groups in classrooms, corridors and other open areas.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It also allows schools to easily identify those who may need to self-isolate if someone within the bubble tests positive for the virus

This means if a pupil tests positive in one bubble, only that bubble will need to isolate and not the other bubbles, limiting the impact on each year group.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.