Leeds primary school forced to close as 12 staff test positive for Covid including caretaker

St Peter’s Church of England Primary School on Cromwell Street has closed its doors to all students until February 1, it has been announced.

In a letter home to parents posted on the school's website, headteacher Elizabeth Holliday said a total of 12 staff members and seven pupils had tested positive for the virus.

Many of the staff "are still ill now", the headteacher said.

The school's caretaker tested positive for the virus last week, a previous letter stated.

The school was originally closed last week due to the caretaker's positive test.

However, the headteacher of the school has now announced - due to further positive cases and further test results awaiting - the school will shut for the rest of the month.

Mrs Holliday said: "Whilst we have done everything we can to ensure staff and pupils have followed all rules around social distancing, hygiene and wearing PPE it is obvious how easily this virus can spread.

"We have now had 12 members of staff who have had Covid, many of those are still ill now.

"We have also had 7 pupils with Covid.

"This is obviously a risk for all staff and pupils as they are in close contact with each other and then, ultimately, their families.

"In view of the above, we will be closing school for everyone."

The school will remain closed until February 1.

Mrs Holliday continued: "We would ask all families to ensure children isolate and, where there are any signs of Covid symptoms in the family, to book a test.

"We are trying our best to support all our families and teachers are trying hard to provide the best education they can for them but we also need to support the nation’s efforts to control the spread of this deadly virus.

"The sooner it is under control, the sooner we will all have our children back in school."

The letter was sent home to parents last week informing of the closure, which has been confirmed on the Leeds Council website.

The school was open to vulnerable children and children of key workers, as per the current guidelines.

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