Coronavirus: Infant school closes for deep clean after pupil tests positive for COVID-19

An infant school has closed just a week after it reopened because one of its pupils tested positive for COVID-19.

Pennington Infant School in the New Forest, Hampshire, reopened in line with the government’s easing of lockdown for schools in England last week.

However, it has been forced to shut its doors again after the pupil tested positive for coronavirus. The case was identified at the weekend.

The school is now undergoing deep cleaning prior to reopening on Wednesday.

Its closure comes as the government decided to scrap its plan for all primary schools in England to reopen for four weeks before the summer break.

Pennington Infant School’s acting headteacher, Amy Wake, wrote a letter to parents to explain the pupil concerned was self-isolating.

The letter advised that those children in the pupil’s school “bubble” should also self-isolate.

Wake wrote: "As you are aware, one of our pupils has been confirmed, at the weekend, to have COVID-19.

"In line with the national advice, the pupil is now in isolation with immediate family.”

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She said a further review and risk assessment carried out by Public Health England (PHE) on Monday concluded that only those in the child’s bubble should self-isolate.

"Based on this updated advice from PHE, I have liaised with governors and the school will open again for other pupils and staff on Wednesday 10 June,” wrote Ms Wake.

A Hampshire County Council spokeswoman said: "We are aware that a pupil at Pennington Infant School has tested positive for COVID-19.

"Public Health England has liaised with the school today, and having carried out a detailed risk assessment, has advised the school that only those in the pupil's school 'bubble' need to self-isolate for 14 days.

"In view of this guidance, the headteacher plans to open again on Wednesday for children in the rest of the school."

Children in England began returning in a phased process last week, with reception, year 1 and year 6 pupils heading back first, although two in five primary schools did not reopen.

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