School in north Cornwall shuts due to staff and pupils testing positive for Covid-19

Positive coronavirus cases among staff, pupils and family members has led to the temporary closure of Budehaven Secondary School.

As a result several additional members of staff have been instructed to self-isolate on the advice of Public Health England.

Consequently, the school do not have enough teaching staff to teach classes of students. So it's taken the 'very difficult decision' to shut.

All teaching has been moved online for all year groups following the closure. It had already been teaching this way in Years 7, 11, 12 and 13 for a number of days.

Cornwall Council say the feedback from parents, carers and students, has been overwhelmingly positive.

“The school has seen an increase in the number of cases, which is a direct reflection of what we are seeing the community around the school and have made the difficult decision to close temporarily to ensure the safety of staff, pupils and families.

“Whilst we know that this may cause childcare issues with children at home unexpectedly, this decision has not been taken lightly.

“We all need to follow the guidance from Public Health – It is our responsibility and our responses, which are key to keeping numbers down here in Cornwall in our communities and our schools.”

Rachel Wigglesworth, Interim Director of Public Health for Cornwall Council

“We thank parents, carers and students for their help and cooperation at this challenging time, and strongly advise that we all pull together at the moment to follow the rules in order to reduce the spread of Covid-19.”

Headteacher Dominic Wilkes

The school will continue to review the situation over the next few days and hope to resume their normal provision as soon as possible.

Budehaven Community School will remain open to vulnerable children and children of key workers in the meantime, for year groups who are not currently self-isolating.