Year groups at Castell Alun and Hawarden High schools told to self isolate following positive Covid test results

Pupils in year groups 8 and 9 at Castell Alun High School in Hope have been told to self isolate following “positive Covid test results.”

Hawarden High School has also confirmed this morning that year 10’s are now self-isolating following a positive case at the school.

Hawarden High School posted an update on social media, they tweeted: “This morning we have received notification of a positive COVID test result for one of our pupils. As a precaution, we have requested that all Year 10 pupils remain at home and await confirmation of a return date to school. We will send out further information in due course.”

In a letter to the parents of Castell Alun pupils on Sunday, acting headteacher Paul Edwards said:

“Due to positive Covid test results in both year groups, with regret, we have to inform you that all students who were in school at all last week in Years 8 and 9 will now need to self-isolate until they are allowed to return to school on Tuesday 20th October.”

“Although students who were not in school at all last week do not actually require self-isolation it will be necessary for them to follow their curriculum from home throughout this period.”

“You will receive official confirmation of this information through a school emailed letter as soon as databases have been submitted to TTP (Test, Trace and Protect.”

The school has also told students who “travel on the Marford ( paying ) bus” to self isolate.

Last week, Flintshire County Council’s Chief Officer for Education and Youth, Claire Homard, said:

“Schools have full risk assessments in place and are taking stringent precautions to protect both staff and students. They also have plans ready to switch pupils who cannot attend school onto their digital learning platforms to ensure continuity of education.

“It is impossible for schools to monitor what students do outside of school time. It is therefore important for parents and carers to know where their children are and what they are doing.  They should be no mixing with friends who attend different schools, for example. We ask for the support of parents and carers in this to reduce the spread of the virus and the impact on schools.”

“Schools remain open and the Council is working closely with the schools affected, Public Health Wales and NHS Wales Test, Trace and Protect to ensure appropriate measures are in place.”

Parents and carers are being asked to remain alert for the main symptoms of coronavirus:

A new or continuous cough
A high temperature
A loss of or change to sense of smell or taste