A Hitchin secondary school has been forced to partially close today, Monday (June 28) as Covid cases rise.

A student in Year 10 recorded a positive Covid test at the Priory School on Bedford Road on Friday, resulting in 32 students and one member of staff identified as 'close contacts'.

The follow-up PCR test was positive leading to the 'close contacts' self-isolating for 10 days.

In a letter sent to parents seen by Hitchin Nub News, Priory head teacher Geraint Edwards explained: "Over the last 72 hours I have received 11 notifications from colleagues who have been told to self- isolate by the NHS Covid contact tracing app.

"These colleagues have not been 'close contacts' with the Year 10 positive case and are not aware of having any contact with a positive Covid case outside school.

"The notifications from the NHS contact tracing app need investigating further as the pattern of notification poses questions. I will be undertaking this with Public Health [on Monday]."

Mr Edwards also added that the total number of staff off work due to Covid-related self-isolation currently stands at 15.

"With this amount of staff off, we cannot cover the full timetable [on Monday] and there is a need to plan for the rest of the week."

The head, who won plaudits for his transparency during the height of the pandemic added: "I wish to apologise for the inconvenience that a partial closure of the school will cause for families [on Monday]."

Year 7 and Year 8 will attend school as normal.