A PRIMARY school has closed its doors to the the majority of its students in a bid to keep the children safe following a number of positive Covid cases

The Earls Colne Primary School announced on Monday it was closing for a week.

Pupils were told to stay at home after a number of positive Covid-19 tests over the past two weeks which the school confirmed has affected three different year groups

The school also confirmed four members of staff also have tested positive for Covid-19.

All positive lateral flow tests were later confirmed using more accurate PCR tests.

To stop the virus spreading, the school took the decision late on Sunday to close until Monday, June 28.

The school has also said the virus is likely to be the highly transmissible Delta variant which Public Health England has said makes up more than 90 per cent of the cases in England.

Pupils in Year 3 and Year 5 are self-isolating and are unable to return until Monday, June 28.

Although the isolation period for Year 4 pupils ended on Monday, June 21, public health reasons mean only a fraction of them have been allowed to return to classes from Tuesday, June 22.

These places are for the children of key workers but only if absolutely necessary.

For the time being, the school has confirmed all children at home are having remote learning.

The school's headteacher Jakki Sibley said: "Over the last two weeks, six children across three different year groups have been tested and confirmed positive for Covid-19. In addition, four staff members, including one staff member that supports the whole school have also tested positive.

“From the moment we were informed of the first positive test, all processes and procedures advised by the Local Authority, Public Health and Department for Education were enacted.

"All pupil members of the bubbles, of which these pupils were a part are now self-isolating, along with 20 members of staff.

“The safety, health and wellbeing of our children and staff is of the utmost importance, and the decision was taken to close the school this week, to reduce further transmission.

"All children are receiving remote learning during this period, and we’re providing on-site support for children of key workers.

“We’d like to thank our parents and community for the understanding that they have shown us during this difficult period.

"We are extremely grateful for the amount of support we’ve had from parents all across the school.”

Following the announcement, parents have thanked the school for their quick response.

Year 3 parent Laura Evans said: "“Thank you so much for informing us as quickly as you did regarding Year 3 isolating.

"I just wanted to say, as a mum, and as a matron at Colchester Hospital, I think the information, communication and updates we have received have been fantastic.

"You’re all doing an amazing job and am proud to be sending my daughter to such a wonderful, diligent and caring school. Thank you.”