A primary school is facing calls to shut for Christmas early after recording almost 50 confirmed Covid cases.

St Stephen's Junior School in Canterbury has revealed 45 pupils and four staff members have tested positive for the virus.

But despite more than one in 10 of the school's roll now confirmed to have Covid, the school remains open and nativity plays have been allowed to continue.

One concerned grandparent said: "It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

"They should shut the school now for Christmas - it's the most sensible way to reduce the risk.

"Staying open and allowing the virus to potentially spread is one thing, but to carry on holding nativities and inviting parents in to watch is another.

"It's a recipe for disaster."

Last week the school confirmed there had been a handful of confirmed cases, and on Sunday evening circulated an email saying 14 children had tested positive after taking a PCR test, and a further five had recorded positive lateral flows.

There were also three confirmed cases among staff members.

But despite admitting "we know this number will grow", the school added: "We will continue with our live Christmas productions and will allow parents to watch, but please do ensure you adhere to the required measures if you attend."

The same email asked families to take lateral flow tests ahead of attending school on Monday, and said year group bubbles would be reintroduced to reduce mixing, along with "heightened ventilation and hygiene measures".

But last night a follow-up email confirmed the number of positive cases among pupils had risen to 32.

Reassuringly, it added: "We have not been notified that any of the positives are the new Omicron variant."

Parents were told the school will remain open for the remainder of the week, but with classes being kept in their own bubbles.

Pupils were also told they can wear masks in school, and those in classes where there has been a positive case were asked to take a lateral flow test daily.

But today the school confirmed the number of cases had risen to 49 - with four staff members and 45 pupils affected.

The worried grandparent believes not enough is being done to protect those still going into school.

"There are only a few days left until the end of term so why not just close it now before even more people catch the virus?" they said.

"Children aren't the ones at risk of becoming seriously ill, but they could easily pass it on to vulnerable family members.

"With the new variant supposedly spreading fast, why take any more risks than you need to?"

KentOnline called the school to speak to one of its two head teachers, but was told they were watching the Year 3 nativity play.

A Kent County Council spokesperson said: "KCC is committed to prioritising keeping our children and young people educated safely and officers have been supporting all schools to implement the Department for Education’s Schools Covid-19 operational guidance which recommends sending pupils home and implementing remote learning only as a last resort.

"School leaders are continuing with good infection control measures and regularly updating their statutory risk assessment.

"Decisions about the running of the school are taken at a school level which allows individual circumstances to be taken into account, for example, localised infection rates and the ability to provide good ventilation in school."