A number of schools across Bath have either closed or are partially closed in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus between pupils and staff.
Latest roundup of closures:
- Three Ways School – closed until at least 1st April
- St Gregory’s School – only open to students in years 7, 8, 11, and 13
- Ralph Allen School – only open to students in years 11 and 13
- Oldfield School – closed until further notice after pupil tests positive for coronavirus
- Bath College – face-to-face teaching suspended for the remainder of the week
- Beechen Cliff School – closed until further notice from 19/03 for students in years 7-10 and the lower sixth. Open to students in year 11 and the upper sixth.
Three Ways School in Odd Down has been closed until 1st April due to the “levels of staff absence” and the medical vulnerability of the school community.
Partial closures are in force today, Wednesday 18th March, at St Gregory’s which is only open to students from years 7, 8, 11 and 13, and Ralph Allen, which is only open to students in years 11 and 13.
Oldfield School has been closed “until further notice” after a student tested positive for the virus.
Steven Mackay, Headteacher of Oldfield, sent a message to parents saying: “We have, this morning, been informed that a student at the school has a confirmed case of COVID19.
“As a precaution we have therefore decided to, immediately, close the school to all staff and students until further notice.
“We will be putting in place a deep clean once the school has closed.”
Bath College has also suspended all face-to-face teaching for the remainder of the week.
Beechen Cliff will be closed until further notice to students in years 7 – 10 and the lower 6th from tomorrow, Thursday 18th March, with the school staying open for Year 11 and Upper 6th students only.
A statement posted on the Ralph Allen website by Headteacher Andy Greenhough says: “The school has taken the difficult decision to close partially from tomorrow, 18 March, with the safety of students our main concern.
“This decision has been made because of falling staff numbers, due to self-isolation for symptoms, or those who are risk from the coronavirus.”
Anne Cusack, Headmistress at St Gregory’s, said: “It is with regret that we have had to make the difficult decision to partially close the school tomorrow, Wednesday 18th March 2020, due to a rapidly changing situation with staffing levels within the school.
“Thank you for your continued support, patience and understanding as we navigate through these uncertain times.”
Bath College has said it expects students to be back on Monday 23rd March, however, a decision will be made on Friday.
A statement from the college’s Principal & Chief Executive Laurel Penrose said: “While we have no confirmed cases of Coronavirus, the College has taken the difficult decision to suspend face-to-face teaching for the rest of this week.”
Combe Down Primary School is closed until Monday 23rd March while the site undergoes a deep clean after a parent was tested postive for the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Headteacher Jane Gascoigne said: “Late this morning (Tuesday 17th March) we had a call from a parent to inform us that they had been confirmed to have COVID-19. Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.
“As a result, we will be closing the school for deep cleaning. We are likely to be closed until the end of this week in order for the deep clean to take place.
“Please be assured that the health and safety of all adults and children in Combe Down Community is of paramount importance to us.
“We will intend to reopen on Monday 23rd March 2020 following the deep clean. It is a rapidly changing picture and we expect there to be further developments.”
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Bath & North East Somerset has now reached three, Public Health England announced yesterday evening.
You can find the latest coronavirus information, advice and community updates for the Bath & North East Somerset area on our dedicated live blog here.
