Rising Covid cases triggers more Cornish schools to send pupils home

Several year groups across the Duchy are remote learning because of staff absences

Author: Sarah YeomanPublished 24th Mar 2022

School children across Cornwall are being sent home for remote learning because of rising Covid cases and staff absences.

The number of coronavirus cases in Cornwall increased by 1,418 in the last 24 hours, official figures show – and five more deaths were recorded.

A total of 140,950 cases had been confirmed in the Duchy when the UK daily dashboard was updated on March 23rd (Wednesday), up from 139,532 on Tuesday.

Latest weekly figures show Cornwall recorded 7,901 cases in the seven days to Friday March 18th, giving us a case rate of 1,372.8 per 100,000 people.

That is the highest ever level for Cornwall and the second highest in England.

Both the Royal Cornwall Hospitals' and Partnership Foundation trusts have suspended visits, as they warn coronavirus continues to have a "significant impact".

As a results of rising cases of the virus and staff absences, Year 8 students at Torpoint Community College are remote learning today and tomorrow (Thursday and Friday).

A letter to parents and carers of Year 8 and 9 students reads: "Unfortunately, the College is still currently experiencing very high rates of staff absence, mainly due to COVID, which is making it particularly challenging to sustain the level of teacher and support staff cover required at the College. As a result, and following consultation with the local authority and chair of governors:

"Year 9 students have been at home today and Wednesday (22nd and 23rd March) to complete remote learning but will return on Thursday 24th March.

"Year 8 students will need to stay at home on Thursday and Friday (24th and 25th March) and complete remote learning but will return on Monday 28th March.

"Vulnerable students, students with an EHCP and students with Social Worker involvement will still be required to come to school regardless of the above.

"I understand the disruption and inconvenience caused again by the above arrangements, and I can only apologise for the adjustments that will have to be made to accommodate them. I would like to thank you for your continued support."

Elsewhere, pupils in Year 3 at Trewirgie Junior School in Redruth will be home schooled for the rest of this week too.

The school has sent the following letter to parents and carers: "Following the letter sent out yesterday, I regret to inform you that we will need to move Year 3 children to remote learning from tomorrow. This will be in place for the rest of this week.

"The remote learning will follow the same format as a few weeks ago. There will be a welcome zoom at 9.30am followed by work set on class DoJo and at 12.30pm for story time.

"Children will also bring home a paper pack of work with them tonight in case this is easier for your child.

"We anticipate that children in Years 4, 5 and 6 will remain in school for the rest of the week.

"If there are any changes to this, we will let you know as soon as possible.

"I apologise for the inconvenience that this may cause you. We anticipate that all Year 3 children will return to school on Monday 28th March."

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