Students and staff at Ipswich school in self-isolation

Over 100 students and two staff members at Northgate High School have been told to stay home for 14 days.

Author: Abi SimpsonPublished 23rd Sep 2020

108 Year 8 pupils and two members of staff are self-isolating after coming into contact with a student who's displaying symptoms of coronavirus.

It comes after a different student at the school tested postive for Covid-19 last week.

Rowena Mackie, who's Headteacher for Northgate High School, said: "We have acted swiftly in response to discovering that one of our students is experiencing Covid-19 symptoms.

"I want to reassure parents that the actions we have taken are to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all those in our school.

"We continue to work closely with Suffolk County Council, Public Health Suffolk and Public Health England who have been supporting us."

An Incident Management Team, consisting of representatives from Public Health England, Public Health Suffolk, Children and Young People services at Suffolk County Council, and the school's Leadership Team, has been formed to advise and support the school.

Stuart Keeble who's the Director of Public Health at Suffolk County Council, said: "Understandably this news may worry parents, but I want to reassure you that the risk of COVID-19 to children and transmission of it between children and staff is low.

"It is safe for children to be in school and incredibly important for their development and wellbeing.

“I have been impressed with how efficiently the staff at the school have managed this situation. We will continue to offer our guidance to the school and support them to protect their students and staff."

Dr Jorg Hoffmann, who's from Public Health England East, said: "We have worked with the school to identify any staff and students who need to self-isolate before returning to school. Using the bubble system in schools can help us do that quickly, efficiently and without causing disruption to the rest of the school.

"Our ultimate aim is to protect the staff and pupils of the school and prevent any further spread.”