A Hitchin secondary school will remain partially closed today, Tuesday (June 29) as issues caused by Covid continue to loom.

The Priory School on Bedford Road has been hit by a large number of teachers having to self-isolate by the NHS Covid contact tracing app.

Over the last few days the school has received 11 notifications from staff who have been told to self-isolate.

Along with lower staffing levels, a student in Year 10 recorded a positive Covid test last week, resulting in 32 students and one member of staff identified as 'close contacts'.

This resulted in a positive, follow-up PCR test leading to the 'close contacts' self-isolating for 10 days.

In an email sent to parents on Monday evening, seen by Hitchin Nub News, Priory head teacher Geraint Edwards explained: "Following on from my letter [on Monday], we still find ourselves in the same position regarding staff having to self-isolate.

"I have been putting together an argument to release those staff from self-isolation who have not been in 'close contact' with a confirmed case.

"The local authority have reviewed my argument and are supporting the 'release request' to allow self-isolating staff back in school.

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"Although this is good news, only NHS Test and Trace can approve the release and this process has to be carried out individually by each member of staff.

"This information was only shared with me at the end of the school day and being pragmatic it is highly unlikely that staff will get a quick response from NHS Test and Trace."

Mr Edwards, who has won plaudits for his transparency with parents during the Covid pandemic added: "What I don't want to do is keep parents, staff and students in limbo.

"Therefore I am reluctantly going to extend the partial opening of the school with the aim of opening up fully on Wednesday if the identified staff can be released from their self-isolation."

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

Only Year 7, Year 8 and those in Year 12 doing assessments will be in school.

All other students will be undertaking online lessons as per their timetable, while the Year 10 Hunstanton trip due to go out on Wednesday and Thursday has been postponed until further notice.

"Thank you for your continued patience and understanding. Take care," concluded Mr Edwards.

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