A Hitchin school has reported three further positive Covid cases over the last 24 hours, resulting in more pupils sent home to self-isolate.

The Priory School on Bedford Road in Hitchin has today, Wednesday, confirmed another trio of coronavirus infections - with more expected, according to the head teacher.

The school, which has more than 1,000 pupils, has suffered with rising infections this autumn, and has had a minimum of 107 students forced to self-isolate this month.

Writing in a letter to parents, seen by Hitchin Nub News, head Geraint Edwards said: "Last Friday we had one identified case in Year 9, which resulted in 74 other students having to self-isolate based on our track and trace protocols.

"Currently we have had three unrelated positive COVID cases within the last 24 hours. Two in the 6th Form and one in Year 11 resulting in a further 33 students having to self-isolate.

"I am expecting more cases to arise in the forthcoming days before we see the impact of the lockdown coming into play."

Pointing to a wider increase in the amount of positive Covid cases in and around Hitchin and north Herts, Mr Edwards explained there had 'definitely' been a spike in numbers in our area.

"As you are well aware we have rigorous risk-management strategies in place," the Priory headteacher added, saying: "but, like with every educational setting we cannot guarantee that we will not be affected and cannot control community transmission."

The school is facing increasing challenges due to a number of staff who are also self-isolating, even if a large number of dedicated teachers are still continuing to prepare lessons from home, where possible, in a bid to deliver online learning.

The Priory is currently able to cover student lessons internally, but if the number of staff having to self-isolate increases the school may need to look at introducing year group rotations for a short period of time, possibly even moving to remote learning.

"As you probably all know by now," Mr Edwards continued in his letter to parents, insisting, "I am not a great fan of the 'gossip grapevine' that seems to stalk educational settings and I have little patience with people who peddle misinformation based on hearsay.

"You send your child or children to my school and in that you are entrusting them into our care. We will keep you informed about what is going on just as we have done since the lockdown in March 2020.

"I need your support to ensure that my students, your children, behave in a manner that ensures that we are all safe in school and in the wider community by following the rules relating to the lockdown we are currently in.

"Thank you for your continued support and patience."