A STOURPORT school is set to partially close because of staff shortages caused by self-isolating, according to a letter sent to parents. 

The Stourport High School and & Sixth Form College previously confirmed eight members of staff and 22 students are self-isolating as a precautionary measure.

A letter sent to parents and carers today (Tuesday, March 17) says: “We take the health and safety of our school community very seriously, so we have made the decision to partially close the school from Wednesday 18 to Friday 27 March 2020 (inclusive) as a result of staff shortages, caused by self-isolating as advised by the Government on Monday March 16 2020.

“School will be closed to Year 7 and 8 students for the period identified above.

“At the moment we are able to keep the school open for Year 9, Year 10, Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13 students.

“Staff absence is of course not applicable to just teaching staff, current support staff absence due to self-isolating means that we are only able to serve cold food options during this period.

“We will Keep you informed of any developments via email and text message.”

This follows the Government's decision to move to the 'delay' phase of dealing with the outbreak.

In a previous letter to parents, the school says: "Our first priority is the health and wellbeing of our whole school community and I want you to know that we and our partners at the Severn Academies Educational Trust as taking every precaution and following the advice from the Department of Education and Public Health England.

"I can confirm that currently we have eight members of staff and 22 students self-isolating as a precautionary measure.

"It may be that more staff and students self-isolate over the coming days and weeks as a precaution.

"We have been advised to cancel all international school trips. We are already seeking clarification from travel companies who are liasing with their own advisory bodies and insurance companies."

Chris King, chief executive of the Severn Academies Educational Trust, family of schools which includes Stourport High School, Baxter College, Stourport Primary, St Bartholomew’s CE, Wilden All Saints CE, Wolverley Sebright, Hartlebury CE and associate school Far Forest Lea Memorial said: “We are taking the latest advice regarding precautionary measures and staff and pupils displaying a cough or high temperature are self-isolating and this of course, now also includes those, who don't have any symptoms themselves but whose family members do.

“None have been tested positive so far for the coronavirus but we are all duty bound to minimise the risks of increasing the spread of this disease.

“We also have plans in place for both partial and full school closures should they become necessary and are keeping our school communities up to date with information.”