School closes after rise in Covid cases

Sherburn High has been closed until Monday June 28 due to an increase in positive coronavirus cases in the school.
Sherburn High School. Picture Tony Johnson.Sherburn High School. Picture Tony Johnson.
Sherburn High School. Picture Tony Johnson.

The Star Multi Academy Trust, which runs the school, said it had taken the difficult decision to temporarily close from June 17-28 after being made aware of a number of positive cases shown up during routine home lateral flow testing.

In a joint statement issued last Friday by Sherburn High School and North Yorkshire County Council said: “Due to an increase in positive coronavirus cases in the school community, and in order to prioritise both the quality of education as well as the health and wellbeing of staff and students, STAR Multi Academy Trust has made the difficult decision to close the school temporarily.

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“This decision is supported by North Yorkshire County Council and Public Health England.”

It reassured parents that remote learning is available for all students during this time.

“The school was made aware of a number of positive coronavirus cases last week and over the weekend as a result of routine home lateral flow testing,” added the statement.

“Since then more cases have been reported through PCR testing.

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“As a precautionary measure, to identify any asymptomatic transmission, a mobile testing unit was on the school site from Wednesday 16 June until Friday 18 June to carry out PCR tests on all students, staff and their household members who do not have symptoms.

“Sherburn High is working closely with North Yorkshire County Council, Public Health England and the Department for Education to manage the situation, which is under constant review.

“The health and wellbeing of all students, staff and members of the wider community, as well as the continuity of education and care for students not currently in school, remain the school’s priorities.”

The local authority reminded people that children and young people rarely become seriously ill following COVID-19 infection.

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“The advice remains to wash your hands, cover your face when required, keep space between yourself and others you don’t live with and to stay at home for the full 10 days if you have symptoms and to get tested, as well as to have the vaccine if you are invited.”

Public Health England said that the seven day rolling infection rate in Sherburn and South Milford in the week to June 17 was 560.7 per 100,000, after 60 cases were confirmed.