A GRAMMAR school says a “limited number” of Year 12 students are self-isolating after they came into contact with students who tested positive for coronavirus.

Southend High School for Boys, based on Prittlewell Chase, say the small number of pupils were sent home earlier today (March 11), after their on-site testing facility picked up the positive cases.

Bosses, who have assured the majority of the year group were in attendance today, are yet to confirm the exact number of children who tested positive for Covid as well as the number of children who are off isolating.

It comes after last night's announcement that more than 7,000 Covid tests in Southend secondary schools have been carried out since pupils returned - with just six positive cases being found so far.

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Krishna Ramkhelawon, director of public health for Southend Council, said the results of the 7,400 tests were “really, really good news” for the borough as pupils returned to schools this week.

He said the results showed the virus spread has been low during the lockdown, and that disruptions to the schools were “minimal”.

Mr Ramkhelawon’s comments come following the news that 55 pupils were told to isolate at Belfairs Academy in Leigh following three positive Covid tests.

Mr Ramkhelawon said there was a miscommunication as the school was told to retest three pupils when it was not the correct procedure.

Over 61,700 people in Southend have now received their first dose of the Covid vaccine and rates of infection across the borough are continuing to fall. 

A spokesperson from Southend High School for Boys, said: "We have not sent home the whole of Year 12, but a limited number who were close contacts of students who tested positive at our on-site LFT screening unit.

"The majority of Year 12 were in attendance today.

"The school continues to follow the published national guidance – for Public Health and for Education – ensuring that all pupils are able to access learning whether in school or remotely.”