A Hitchin secondary school is introducing a 'circuit break' to halt the spread of Covid.

Sixth form pupils at the Priory School on Bedford Road are being asked to study at home for a week from Monday, in a bid to mitigate coronavirus infections within the student body.

The move is intended to give students a 10-day window under national lockdown restrictions to limit their close contacts and any possible transmission.

In a letter sent to parents, seen by Hitchin Nub News, Priory head Geraint Edwards said his school had worked hard to stem the number of infections.

However, on reviewing their track and trace documents while analysing transmission patterns, they could not see a clear reason explaining the spike the school has experienced this week.

"As with a number of schools in Hertfordshire, there has been a spike in infections, partly due to social interaction over half term and possibly due to 'pre-lockdown meet ups'," Mr Edwards wrote.

"As the infection period works in a 14-day cycle, today, Friday the 13th, is potentially the end of a full cycle if someone became infected at the start of the half term break.

"I am going to introduce a short 'circuit break' for the sixth form, which will give an opportunity for any other possible Covid positive cases to be flushed out."

The 'circuit break' will run from Monday, November 16 to Monday, November 23 with the first day back in school for sixth formers on Tuesday, November 24.

Mr Edwards signed off by saying as we enter the second week of the national lockdown, he hoped that there will be a decline in community transmission, before going on to thank parents for their continued support and understanding.

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