Hitchin Boys' School has confirmed it will be open once again for all pupils from Tuesday morning.

The secondary school on Grammar School Walk, had been forced to close today, Monday, because a teacher tested positive for Covid.

The school, rated outstanding by Ofsted, confirmed a member of teaching staff tested positive for coronavirus over the weekend with a number of teaching colleagues being forced to self-isolate as per government guidance.

However, following an emergency meeting earlier on Monday, the school will be open as usual on Tuesday morning.

Headteacher Fergal Moane, wrote to parents this lunchtime in a letter seen by Hitchin Nub News, saying: "I am pleased today to confirm we will be open for all students to return to Hitchin Boys' from tomorrow, September 15.

"The plan can be summarised in fairly simple terms: Students onsite, teaching spilt between onsite and remote.

"Although a number of teachers are self-isolating, the vast majority are well and capable of teaching their classes remotely."

This move will involve students following their normal timetable and normal room, and for those teachers who are offsite, the lesson will be delivered via Google Classroom.

In some cases, this may be a 'live lesson' via Google Meet video conference, in other cases it might be a pre-recorded video from their teacher or learning resources set by the teacher on Google Classroom and projected into the classroom for students.

The school have bought in sufficient supply cover, and the existing team covers supervisors, while the senior leadership team will be deployed to ensure that all lessons are supervised by an onsite member of staff, even if their teacher is remote.

Headteacher Mr Moane added: "In this way, we can ensure that the best quality lessons can be delivered by the subject experts even if they aren't physically present."

The school is also asking year 12 and 13 students to only come in for their actual lessons and to study at home where possible.

HBS will have space available if any sixth form student wants to study onsite, but this move will allow the establishment to create the capacity to bring all year groups back. Sixth form students should continue to attend consortium lessons as normal.

The school also said that they will be suspending the requirement for morning registration for the next two weeks as they will need sixth form tutors to support registering other year groups, with year 12 and 13 having already had a considerable amount of pastoral input over the first two weeks.

The head went on to explain the advantages to all students being back on site, including learning with a peer group, availability of pastoral care and access to catering, sport, clubs and the variety of facilities in specialist teaching spaces.

Mr Moane concluded: "I am confident that the site is safe: all areas have been deep cleaned during Sunday and today by our specialist contractor.

"The school only had to close on Monday because of staff capacity rather than safety as we are confident that we have acted quickly to identify and ask staff and students to self-isolate if they were in close contact with the confirmed case.

"I spent time this morning on the phone with Public Health England and they have confirmed that we have taken the correct actions in identifying close contacts and a precautionary approach around those who may have been in contact.

"Like all members of our school community, students and staff should self-isolate if any COVID-19 symptoms emerge and seek a test via the NHS website."

A parent at the school, speaking to Hitchin Nub News on condition of anonymity said they were happy with the measures undertaken by HBS.

"As a parent I am satisfied the school has done all they can to keep my son safe and I am glad that the school is reopening as soon as possible.

"Children have already missed enough classroom-based learning over the last few months, no matter how good and thorough the online teaching and the homework has been.

"I don't see how much more the school could do in terms of making it safe for everyone.

"They have acted with clarity, openness and honesty and I for one have no problems whatsoever in sending my child back to school."