More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
An entire year group has been ordered to stay home at a Kent grammar school after a student and a teacher tested positive for coronavirus.
Gravesend Grammar School for boys confirmed two cases of Covid-19 over the weekend.
It has instructed all students in Year 10 and a single class in Year 8 to stay home and isolate today until it has identified all "direct prolonged contacts".
All other year groups at the selective school have been told to attend as normal, with the creation of year group bubbles hoped to guard against any potential spread of the virus.
Head teacher Malcolm Moaby said while it was "only a matter of time" before they had a positive test it is still a concern to staff, parents and students "as transmission rates appear to be increasing".
In a statement he said: "Over the weekend a student and a teacher were both confirmed to have tested positive for Covid-19.
"The school, with guidance from Public Health England South East, acted swifty to reduce risk of transmission by asking the Year 10 cohort and a single class in Year 8 to isolate on Monday, so that the school could trace all close contacts."
"Whilst it was only a matter of time before we had a positive test result it is still a concern to staff, parents and students..."
It is envisaged many of the students will be able to return to school tomorrow, while some may be asked to self-isolate for a further period of time.
Students who have been in direct contact with the confirmed case are expected to receive notification today advising them to stay at home for up to 14 days in line with public health guidelines.
All household members of a suspected Covid-19 case must also stay at home for a period of two weeks, including anyone in their "support bubble".
Elsewhere in Kent a year group was also told to self isolate today at Holcombe Grammar School in Chatham after a year 11 pupil contracted the virus.
Four staff and 25 children in Year 5 were also sent home at the Hartlip Endowed Church of England Primary School near Sittingbourne.
